Jogi does a Nero as flood situation worsens in state

As the waters of the Mahanadi and Gangrel reservoir crossed the danger mark today, following a steady downpour since last evening, the government did not rule out the possibility of flash floods hitting more areas. The Army is on stand-by in Bilaspur district, as dozens of villages in Jangir-Champa and Raigarh remained cut off from the state.

Chief Minister Ajit Jogi cancelled his weekly Cabinet meeting and other official engagements today to visit relief camps in Jangir-Champa and Raigarh — the two worst-affected districts.

‘‘The state government has assessed losses to the tune of Rs 220 crore and has rushed a report to the Centre, asking for immediate relief,’’ Jogi said at Raipur. The CM said he has apprised Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of the flood situation and the steps taken by the state government to provide relief to affected families, now lodged in temporary relief camps. He hoped Sonia would take up the issue with PM A.B. Vajpayee for rushing help to the state.

‘‘Till the Centre sends its team or interim relief, the state government has pooled in all its resources to help the flood-hit. We have reached out to each affected family and taken help from voluntary organisations to address the problem,’’ he said.

The promptness with which Jogi launched his flood-control measures, days before Sonia’s visit, makes it apparent the Congress intends to use the issue in the coming polls to turn the tables on the Centre. ‘‘The Centre did not help Chhattisgarh during the drought but we hope it doesn’t repeat its mistake,’’ PCC spokesman Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said.