Chandigarh, July 12 (ANS) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Wednesday that seven districts were hardest hit by the floods and also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for families who lost members in the natural disaster.
Reportedly, 240 villages were affected by the rains.
He said the situation became worse as the state received above average rainfall and waters coming from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab also exacerbated the situation.
“In some places, years records have been shattered. Seven districts – Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Keithal – have been affected the most by the rains. But there is relief from yesterday evening. Relief and rescue work is in full swing,” Khattar said.
The Prime Minister conducted aerial surveys of about four to five districts to assess the areas affected by the heavy rains. Then he held a meeting with the district administration officers in Ambala and reviewed the relief and rescue operations in the district.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the officials of the district administration to ensure timely drainage of water from the waterlogged areas and to make arrangements for provision of food and other things to the people living in these areas.
Khattar said if the department needs more pumps to drain the water, it should immediately make arrangements at its level or inform the headquarters.
The prime minister added that besides draining water from residential areas, proper drainage of water from fields must be ensured, as this is the sowing season, so that farmers do not face any kind of problem.
The prime minister said that directives have been issued to all deputy commissioners to assess the financial loss in their districts.
The government will immediately repair the poor families whose homes were damaged. He added that other departments will also get assistance from the Disaster Management Fund according to the loss.
A danger was also directed to pay attention to cleanliness in the areas after draining the water, so as not to increase the fear of infection with waterborne diseases.
He instructed officials in the Public Health Engineering Department to ensure the availability of drinking water in all places.
At the meeting, Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said the district administration was working at full speed.
Officers were instructed to ensure timely drainage of water from low-lying areas. A water tanker supply system should also be prepared so that tankers can be dispatched as per requirements.
Vij said attention should be paid to ensuring proper arrangements for electricity, drinking water and fodder for animals.
At the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of Ambala Shalin informed the Chief Minister that the district was affected most due to the excessive flow of water in the Ghaghar, Tangri and Markanda rivers in Ambala.
Relief and rescue work is carried out in cooperation with the NDRF, SDRF and the Army. Drainage of water from the areas is ensured.
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