Friday, September 1 2006 14:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Barmer: With large tracts of the frontier Barmer district still inundated following flash floods over a week ago, military authorities are planning to clear up clogged portions of the Rajasthan Canal to drain the waters.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today (Sept 1,2006)toured the worst-hit areas of the district, where flood affected people made repeated demands to make arrangements to drain the accumulated water.

At a review of relief operations here, military authorities briefed Mukherjee on the situation in the district where several lakes sprung up after incessant rains since August 18.

"The immediate need is to remove the water two-threesuggestions have come up in the matter. One of the important suggestions is to clear the channel so that the water can be removed quickly," Mukherjee told reporters.

He said that type of exercise will be made (to clear the channel) which is about one kilometre long". Mukherjee said he has requested the Military Engineering Service to expedite the work.

"Everyone is demanding to make some arrangements to drain the flood waters. Teams have reached here and relief work should be expedited," Gandhi said after visiting distressed people in Malwa, which has been under water for over a week.

Gandhi faced some embarrasing moments when a local BJP MLA created a ruckus at her meeting with the people and accused the Centre of ignoring the state.

Manvendra Singh, the BJP MP from Barmer, apologised to Gandhi for the behaviour of the legislator.