Ludhiana/Varanasi, Aug 21 : Authorities in Ludhiana have dispatched relief material for flood victims in numerous villages in the state.

Around 40 trucks loaded with relief material including food, water and tents, left for the affected areas from Ludhiana on Wednesday.

"Trucks have drinking water, food material and tents, Infact, we have tried to include everything that was asked for by the victims," said Bikram Singh Manjithia, Public Relations Officer, Punjab.

Around 66, 000 acres of land has been affected by the floods. According to the state authorities, 140 villages in Ferozepur, 14 in Jalandhar, 40 in Moga, 106 in Kapurthala and 28 in Taran Taran have been affected by the floods.

Several families have been rescued, but there are thousands of others who continue to remain stranded. The army has been deployed to provide relief.

Punjab is experiencing one of its worst floods in the past two decades.

Incessant monsoon rains and rising river water levels have flooded many districts, including Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Moga, Bhatinda, Sangrur and Ropar.

Meanwhile reports from Varanasi say that incessant heavy rains have left the entire city inundated.

Civic authorities are being blamed for learning the city waterlogged.

Trains have been stalled and around 12 have been diverted.

The city has so far received around 292 millimeters of rain, reportedly the highest in the season. (ANI)