KOLKATA, 23 AUG: The death toll in floods jumped to 58 today with eight more deaths being reported from four districts over the past 24-hours and flood situation in south Bengal districts remaining grim. Flood situation is likely to worsen tomorrow if the meteorological department's prediction of “heavy to very heavy” rainfall in four north Bengal districts becomes reality. State irrigation minister Dr Manas Bhuniya said precautions have been taken in all respect and the government is on high alert. North Bengal districts recorded high rainfall due to heavy showers in Bhutan, he added. According to a Press release issued today by the state government, the number of flood-affected people has jumped to 30.71 lakh and 256 blocks have been stated as flood affected. Two flood-related deaths were reported from Howrah today while report of one more death came from North Dinajpur district. Hooghly recorded three flood-related deaths today while two residents of Bankura died due to the floods. Though Damodar and Kaliaghai rivers are flowing just below the extreme danger level, threat of devastation looms large in some south and north Bengal districts as several other rivers, including Jalangi, Rupnarayan, Chandia, Jamuna, Mahananda and Ganga, are flowing above the danger mark in some points. Meanwhile, some contractors today gheraoed the office of the irrigation department in Purulia demanding payment of dues for the work they executed in the past, Dr Bhuniya said. “I urge them to withdraw the agitation. They will surely get their dues. The state government is passing through a financial crunch. The fund crisis aggravated in the past two years. Our government will not cheat them,” the minister said asserting emergency embankment repair works would start when rains stop. A combined discharge of 17,000 cusecs of water took place from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) system. A total of 359 relief camps have been set up where 53,256 people have taken shelter. The state government has so far released relief assistance to the tune of Rs 30.69 crore. This includes an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to each of the kin of the deceased. sns