Flood fury in Rajasthan again

rains caused widespread destruction in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, Pali and Banswara districts, claiming more than 20
lives in the first week of July. Last year too the showers wreaked havoc in the drought-hit state (see 'Heavy weather', Down To Earth,
September 30, 2006). Mount Abu, the highest peak in the Aravalli Range recorded a maximum rainfall of 124 mm on July 10.

Heavy inflow of swollen rivers breached the 118-year-old Jaswant Sagar Dam in Jodhpur after being fed by swollen rivers, transforming a part of the
desert into a lake. The irrigation department has initiated repair work of the dam. Nearly 50,000 people marooned in about 50 villages in Jodhpur and
Pali districts were evacuated. According to some of the affected villagers, no action had been taken even after they complained of cracks
developing in the dam and its supporting wall.The district administration, however, denied the allegations and maintained that people in the affected
areas did not cooperate with them.