Flood impact in Haryana: State suffered over Rs 500 cr loss, Khattar elaborates plans for repairs

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Khattar announced that the state will contribute Rs 5 crore to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Relief Fund as flood relief measures.

The CM said, “In four days, the state’s cumulative rainfall was 110 mm against the normal rainfall of 28.4 mm (287 per cent excess rainfall). The normal rainfall was 32.8 mm in Yamunanagar, 32.9 mm in Kurukshetra, 53 mm in Panchkula and 58.5 mm in Ambala. While this time these four districts have received 100 mm more rainfall than normal, resulting in 842, 814, 699 and 514 percent more rainfall respectively. As a result, almost all rivers in Haryana — Yamuna, Markanda, Tangari, Ghaggar, and Saraswati — had swelled up and all drains were also in full spate. There were breaches and overflows at many places leading to flooding of fields, roads and habitations causing loss of lives and damage to properties that necessitated immediate rescue and still ongoing relief and recovery efforts.”

Giving the district-wise impact of rainfall in Haryana, Khattar said, “Around 12 districts were declared flood-affected and 1,353 villages, four municipal-areas in 12 districts, including Ambala, Fatehabad, Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sonipat, Sirsa and Yamunanagar were affected.”

Elaborating on the rescue measures, Khattar said that around 6,629 people were evacuated, 41 relief camps were organised, and around 1,774 people are currently housed in these camps. “Food and other civil supplies arrangements have been made for the public residing in marooned areas. The government organised 2,878 special medical camps to prevent possible epidemic diseases. Over 37,500 people have been given the required treatment in these camps. Health Department has also carried out fogging in 147 villages and distributed over 25,000 ORS packets,” Khattar said.

The damages

35 deaths reported so far: For loss of human lives, a compensation of Rs 4 lakh will be given, while in case of loss of limbs, the compensation will be Rs 74,000 per person (for disability between 40 – 60 %); Rs 2.5 lakh per person (for disability more than 60 %).

About 125 houses were fully damaged; 615 houses were partially damaged. For large animals, assistance will be provided at the rate of Rs 80 per day, while for small animals assistance will be provided at the rate of Rs 45 per day.

Compensation for the loss of livestock – Compensation of Rs.37, 500 (in case of Buffalo/Cow/Camel/Yak/ Mithun etc); Rs. 4,000 (in case of Sheep/ Goat/Pig); Rs. 32,000 (in case of Camel /Horse/Bullock etc.); Rs.20, 000 (in case of Calf/ Donkey/ Pony/Mule/ Heifers), and Rs. 100 (per bird for poultry).

For road repair, works up to Rs 10 lakh will be carried out by a committee under the Chairmanship of Executive Engineer, and works of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore by a committee under the Chairmanship of Superintending Engineer concerned. Works above Rs 1 crore will be dealt by inviting tenders, following the due procedure, with a time frame of seven days.

Around 996 roads with a length of 1141.94 km in the State got affected on which a budget of more than Rs. 230 Crore is required for restoration. As many as 3,369 electricity poles 1477 Distribution Transformers (DTs) and other infrastructure damaged, repairs to cost Rs. 22.08 crore. About 17 Government Veterinary Dispensary and Government Veterinary Hospital buildings damaged, repairs to cost Rs. 1.24 crore

Assessment of damaged crops will be done after July 31. Areas where water will not recede will be considered separately, but compensation at the rate of Rs 15,000 per acre for 100 per cent loss shall be given. Vegetables and cotton-growing farmers have suffered the maximum loss. The total damage has been reported in an area of 18,000 acres.