35 people dead, flood waters yet to recede in 2 dists, says Haryana CM Khattar, lists out steps taken by govt

Khattar, while addressing a press conference Wednesday, shared details on the damage suffered in the state and the expense that the government will incur for repair work.

Loss of life

So far, 35 persons have lost their lives in the floods, a few are injured while a few others are hospitalised. Two districts, Sirsa and Fatehabad, remain affected by floods. However, the water level was slowly receding, the CM informed.

Infrastructure damage

Roads, bridges, waterworks etc have suffered massive damage, the chief minister said. Administrative secretaries have been activated in all the districts to restore the networks and committees have been constituted for repair of roads/ bridges. These committees have been granted the authority to get works worth Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore done.

As many as 399 road projects have suffered damage that will incur Rs 90 crore for repairs. 1100 km of roads have suffered damage for which Rs 230 crore is required.

A total of 3369 electricity poles have suffered damage, while 1477 transformers have been damaged in the floods. Around Rs 22.8 crore will be required for the repair works.

At least 125 houses have suffered complete damage while 615 houses have been partially damaged.

Government initiatives

Deputy Commissioners have been given additional powers to provide compensation to those affected by the floods. Rs 4 lakh financial assistance has been sanctioned for the kin of each deceased person.

People are to upload their contents of damage on the government’s Kshati-poorti portal to avail compensation. The portal shall be active from July 20 to August 20.

Crop damage

As crops sown suffered damage in the floods, the government said sowing of seeds can be redone in areas where water has receded. Also, the government has decided to give Rs 15,000 per acre in areas where sowing cannot be redone.

In areas of paddy cultivation, sowing will be done again, the CM said, adding that the exact estimate cannot be assessed at this stage.

Sugarcane crop does not get majorly affected in such rains, if the water recedes. Cotton, maize, pulses, kharif oilseeds and a few other crops that have suffered damage on approximately 18,000 acres shall primarily be compensated at the rate of Rs 15,000 per acre, the CM said. The entire crop damage shall be assessed after July 31.

Till August 15, the entire agricultural land shall be covered under the Meri Fasal Mera Byora scheme of the state government. To encourage 100 per cent registration of agriculture lands on this portal, the government will introduce reward schemes for farmers.

Diseases and medical camps

At least 578 villages and 33 wards in urban areas have been affected. A total of 2878 medical camps have been set up. So far, 38 snake bite cases have been reported. Around 5,500 cases of skin diseases have also been reported at these medical camps.

Vaccination of farm animals has begun with around 50 lakh already been vaccinated.