FLOOD IMPACT UPDATE: THREE MORE HUMAN LIVES LOST, POPULATION AFFECTED RISES TO OVER 3.87 LAKH
CROP LOSS REACHES OVER 1.84 LAKH HECTARES
Chandigarh, September 8:
The flood situation continues to impact several districts of the state with fresh updates indicating an increase in both human and crop losses, said S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Punjab. He said that as per the district reports, over 3.87 lakh people have been affected across 15 districts. Likewise, human fatalities have risen to 51 with three more deaths recorded during the past 24 hours in Mansa, Moga and Patiala districts.
Listing crop and infrastructure damage, S. Mundian said that the crop loss has now reached 1,84,938.05 hectares. He added that damage to houses and livestock continues to be assessed and the full extent will be available once floodwaters recede.
S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that on the evacuation front, with 77 more evacuations in the last 24 hours, a total of 23,015 persons have been safely evacuated to date. At present, 123 relief camps are operational, sheltering 5,416 inmates and witnessing successful rehabilitation and resettlement of many affected families.
He said that mitigation measures remain in full swing with the Army deploying around 30 helicopters for rescue and relief operations, while the BSF, NDRF and SDRF teams are carrying out ground support. Relief materials including dry ration, drinking water, medicines and essential supplies are being dispatched round-the-clock to the flood-hit areas.
Giving district-wise details, the Cabinet Minister said that in Amritsar, 196 villages remain under the impact of floods affecting 1,36,105 people. The district has reported 7 casualties. A total of 3260 persons have been safely evacuated and 16 relief camps are operational in the district, while crop loss has been recorded on 27,154 hectares. In Barnala, total 121 villages have been affected, impacting 1343 people. The district has reported 5 deaths. As many as 630 people have been evacuated, with 46 relief camps functioning. No crop damage has been reported in this district.
He said that in Bathinda, 21 villages have come under floodwater. Although no population has been directly hit, the district has suffered 4 deaths, while crop damage has been assessed over 586.79 hectares. In district Faridkot, 15 villages are affected. In Fazilka, 86 villages are inundated affecting 25,037 persons. Two human lives have been lost. A total of 4,235 people have been evacuated while 14 relief camps are running. Crop loss has been recorded over 19,036 hectares, he added.
The Minister said that in district Ferozepur, 108 villages are affected, impacting 38,614 persons. Two deaths have been reported. As many as 3,948 people have been evacuated and crop damage has been assessed on 17,257 hectares. Similarly, in Gurdaspur, 329 villages are impacted, hitting 1,45,000 persons. Two human lives have been lost. Evacuations total 5,581 and 13 camps are functional in the district. He said that crop loss is the highest in the state with 40,169 hectares affected in district.
In Hoshiarpur, 208 villages are under flood impact affecting 2,760 people, while seven deaths have been reported. Evacuations total 1,616 while 4 camps are functional. Crop damage has spread over 8,322 hectares. In Jalandhar, 93 villages have been affected with 1,970 people hit. There is no report of loss of life. A total of 511 persons have been evacuated till date while 18 relief camps are functioning. Crop damage has been recorded on 4,800 hectares.
He said that in Kapurthala, 145 villages are impacted affecting 5,728 people and evacuations stand at 1,428, while crop damage has been recorded on 17,574 hectares. In Ludhiana, 85 villages are impacted though. Four human lives have been lost in the district. One camp is active sheltering 47 persons and crop damage has been reported on 72 hectares. In Malerkotla, 12 villages are under floodwater. In district Mansa, 95 villages are affected with 178 people hit. The district has reported 4 deaths and total 178 people have been evacuated, while 2 relief camps are operational. Crop loss has been assessed over 12,207 hectares. In Moga, 52 villages are impacted with 800 persons affected. One death has been reported. A total of 155 persons have been evacuated while 3 camps are functional. Crop loss has been recorded on 2,240 hectares.
S. Mundian informed that in Pathankot, 88 villages are affected, impacting 15,503 people. The district has reported 6 deaths. Evacuations stand at 1139, while 1 relief camp is active in the district. Crop damage has been assessed over 2,442 hectares. In Patiala, 109 villages are affected. The district has recorded 2 deaths and crop loss has spread over 10,420 hectares. In Rupnagar, 58 villages have been impacted, affecting 778 persons. Two human lives have been lost in the district. Evacuations stand at 313 while 4 relief camps are operational. Crop loss has been recorded on 1080 hectares.
The Revenue Minister said that in district S.A.S Nagar, 15 villages are affected with 14,000 persons hit. The district has reported 2 deaths and crop loss has been assessed over 2,000 hectares. In Sangrur, 107 villages are affected with 83 persons hit. The district has reported 1 death. One relief camp is functional in the district and crop damage has been recorded on 6,560 hectares. Similarly, in S.B.S Nagar, 28 villages are affected and crop damage stands at 188 hectares. In district Sri Muktsar Sahib, 23 villages are impacted, while in district Tarn Taran, 70 villages are affected, impacting 60 people. A total of 21 people have been evacuated and crop loss has been assessed on 12,828 hectares.
