Dinesh Bhardwaj/Trinew
Chandigarh, July 19
Haryana government has officially declared 12 districts of the state as flood affected. These include Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Sonipat, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Faridabad and Palwal. There is relief in ten districts now, but the situation is still critical in Sirsa and Fatehabad. In these 12 districts, 1353 villages came under the grip of flood. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar informed about the damage caused by the flood and the steps taken by the government in a press conference held in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
The CM has rejected the allegations of the opposition, in which it has been said that the government did not clean the rivers, canals and drains in time. Patting the government, the Chief Minister said that during the previous governments, there used to be no disaster management meeting for flood rescue operations. The current government also holds regular meetings and has done timely work for flood protection.
He said that there are many such small works, which are completed during May-June. Long term tasks are completed by next year. The CM admitted that water-logging occurred in Ambala City, Ambala Cantt, Barara, Panchkula, Kurukshetra and Shahbad city. A total of 35 urban wards were in the grip of floods, he added. The CM said that the situation in Sirsa and Fatehabad has not yet become normal because the water of Ghaggar is slowly moving towards Rajasthan.
The government is keeping a close watch on the water situation in both these districts and all kinds of facilities are being provided. Also, he announced that compensation would be given to those who lost their lives, disabled people, families who lost their homes and those who ate milch and other animals due to the floods. The government will also give compensation to those farmers whose crops have been destroyed due to floods. However, it may take time for the farmers to get the compensation. This is because the government is trying to drain the water from the fields so that they can be sown again. The CM admitted that about 18,000 acres of such land has been identified so far, in which the crops have been completely destroyed and now there is little possibility of re-sowing. These include green fodder for animals, vegetables, cotton, maize and pulses etc. People whose houses have collapsed or been damaged will be able to upload their details on the compensation portal. Similarly, the information about the death of people and animals killed and injured during floods will have to be uploaded on the portal.
The CM indicated that the portal would be launched in this week itself, which would remain open for a month. The committee headed by DC will verify the people who apply on the portal. Compensation will be released by the government immediately after the report of the DC. On the other hand, the government will take a decision after July 31 regarding the damage caused to the crops. During this, farmers will be able to sow paddy again. The possibility of sowing other crops also remains.
The dead will get 4-4 lakhs
According to government records, 35 people have lost their lives in the state so far due to floods. There are also reports of injuries to some people. Snake bitten 35 people, although no one died due to this. The families of the deceased will be given financial assistance of Rs.4 lakh each by the government. The government will provide assistance of Rs 75 thousand to those with 40 to 60 percent disability and Rs 2.5 lakh to those with more than 60 percent disability. On the death of milch animals – cow, buffalo and camel etc., the government will give compensation of Rs 37 thousand 500 per animal to the animal parents. Compensation will be given at the rate of Rs.4 thousand for the death of sheep and goat, Rs.32 thousand for the death of camel and horse, Rs.20 thousand for the death of a calf and Rs.100 per hen for the death of hen.
110 mm of rain recorded in 5 days
From July 8 to 12, that is, during five days, the entire state received 110 mm of rain. Normally, there used to be 28.4 mm of rain during these days. That is, it rained about four times more this time. Maximum effect of rain was seen in four districts. Normally, Yamunanagar used to receive 32.8 mm of rain, but this time it received 122 mm. The normal rainfall in Kurkshetra was 32.9 mm. This time 300.8 mm of rain was recorded. Panchkula received 422.8 mm of rain this time against the normal of 53 mm. On the other hand, Ambala received 359 mm of rain this time as against the normal 58.5 percent.
