Uttarakhand flash floods: Estimated damages over Rs 600 crore

Staff Reporter

Wed Aug 08, 2012, 11:30 AM

New Delhi: Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, along with the Uttarakhand MPs Union Minister of State Harish Rawat, Satpal Maharaj, Pradeep Tamta, Mahendra Mahra and KC Singh Baba, called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday at PM Office and updated him with the present situation of disaster hit areas. He said that the State Government was carrying out rescue and relief work by its own limited resources. He urged Dr. Singh to provide financial and technical support to strengthen the disaster mitigation machinery in the State.

Mr. Bahuguna said that owing to road blockages in hill region, difficulties were being faced to transport foods, medicines and other relief materials. He urged the PM to provide helicopters to extract stranded tourists and pilgrims and transport relief materials to affected areas. Mr. Bahuguna apprised him that the calamity had caused enormous damage especially in Uttarkashi where calamity was greater. He said that initial estimation of damages amounted to around Rs. 600 crore and large number of population had bee affected. Mr. Bahuguna revealed that so far 28 people had lost their lives, 7 were missing and 8 were injured. He disclosed that 58 residential buildings, 2 non-residential buildings and 11 commercial buildings had been damaged. 402 families had bee rehabilitated in safer places and the rescues and relief works were being undertaken on war footing with the help of Army and Para-Military Forces.

Chief Minister Bahuguna said that due to damaged roads, the LPG cylinders were not reaching the hill areas. He urged the PM to increase the Kerosene quota. Prime Minister expressing his moral support assured to provide relief fund at the earliest and all possible help from the Centre.
Chief Minister Bahuguna also called on UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and apprised her about the situation. She also assured him to discuss the issue with Prime Minister and urge him to provide the relief fund at the earliest.