AERIAL VIEW Floodwaters in Jaipur. (2 SHOTS) 0.13
AERIAL VIEW Flooded fields and countryside. (2 SHOTS) 0.29
AERIAL VIEW Flooded fields and damaged houses in village of Hingoroni. (2 SHOTS) 0.42
AERIAL VIEW Floodwaters rush through waterway. 0.50
AERIAL VIEW Railway bridge at Moral Bundh washed away. 1.01
GV ZOOM TO Washed away roads ZOOM IN TO crowds of people stranded at edge of river. (2 SHOTS) 1.14
GV Bulldozer pushing earth into river. 1.24
SV Army soldiers repairing road; along with civilians working. (2 SHOTS) 1.46
GV PAN Floodwater and mud on airport runway. 1.53
GV Bulldozers clearing mud from airport apron. (2 SHOTS) 2.03

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Background: JAIPUR, INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Severe flooding in the north western India state of Rajasthan has left an estimated 500 people dead and 10,000 homeless. As clearing up operations began in the capital, Jaipur, government authorities were being accused of inadequate relief for people still marooned by the floodwaters.

SYNOPSIS: More than three days of non-stop monsoon rains resulted in the worst floods in the region for more than a century.The ancient city of Jaipur, known for its distinctive buildings of pink coloured stone, was surrounded by a sea of floodwaters. Drought stricken fields which had not seen rain for three years were transformed into giant mud-baths.

One of the worst hit villages was Hingoroni. Hundreds of cattle perished and stockpiles of wheat were ruined. Altogether six villages were swept away leaving 200 people missing. So far only 129 bodies have been recovered out of 500 people feared dead.

A major railway bridge over the Moral Bundh was one of Several bridges swept away by swollen rivers.

As the floodwaters receded there were still hundred of people marooned. Demonstrations were reported at Jaipur and in at least one badly damaged village, accusing authorities of inadequate relief for people cut off by floods. Soldier were rebuilding roads while the Indian Air Force flew in supplies, but critics said relief work was slow.

Most of Jaipur's major road and rail links will have to be rebuilt. Thousands of people were stranded at railway stations in the capital and throughout the state of Rajasthan. Volunteer and army workers were concerned with restoring communications so relief work could be speeded up.

Jaipur's airport remained closed. Floodwaters had receded leaving the runway covered in mud and debris.

Though bulldozers were used to clear the airport apron, the runway itself had to be cleared by manual labour to avoid further damage.

Source: REUTERS - PREM PRAKASH