Thousands Evacuated In Calcutta Flooding

Discovery Communications Inc - More than 2,000 residents of India's densely populated city of Calcutta were evacuated on Thursday as floodwaters continued to submerge low-lying areas of the metropolis.

The Pioneer reported that activity along the Hoogly River, a tributary of the Ganges, came to a halt as floodwaters began gushing into homes.

Subrata Mukherjee, mayor of Calcutta, said that the decision to evacuate came as the Weather Office issued predictions of more high tides during the next several days. Municipal authorities went through city streets, announcing the pending evacuations on loud speakers and asking people to move to higher ground.

The majority of Calcutta's 14 million residents live in extremely congested conditions.

More than 1,100 people have died in the floods triggered by late monsoon rains in the states of West Bengal and Bihar which adjoin Calcutta. Indian air force rescue planes continued to drop food and supplies to those marooned in areas made inaccessible by the floodwaters.