Bengal flood toll crosses 1,000, situation better

CALCUTTA, OCT 6: The toll in recent floods in West Bengal rose to 1,087 today with the recovery of 44 more bodies. Hundred people are still missing even as the overall situation improved with major rivers showing receding trends, official sources said.

The situation in parts of North 24 Parganas district, which turned critical yesterday with water level increasing in Basirhat and adjacent areas, showed signs of improvement. The Army is continuing relief operations in the district.

Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta told reporters that most rivers in the flood-hit districts are receding and expressed hope that the situation would improve further by tomorrow.