Chandigarh, September 23:
Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today informed that the flood situation in the State has stabilised as all relief camps have now been closed with the remaining inmates returned to their homes. He said that the supply of essential relief material to the affected families will continue uninterrupted.
The Revenue Minister said that a total of 219 relief camps were opened at the peak of floods across Punjab, accommodating 8,270 inmates from time to time. With improving conditions, the numbers kept declining and today not a single camp remains active, marking a complete return of all displaced families to their villages and homes.
Highlighting the scale of operations, S. Mundian stated that since August 1, as many as 23,340 people have been safely evacuated from vulnerable and marooned areas. He added that the administration provided temporary shelter, food, medicines and essential services in camps while also ensuring sanitation measures including debris clearance, carcass disposal, sewer cleaning and repair of damaged public assets.
The Cabinet Minister pointed out that the floods have impacted 22 districts and 2,555 villages, affecting a population of 3,89,445. Unfortunately, 57 human lives have been lost and 4 persons remain missing. The assessment of crop damage has pegged the loss at 1,99,926.2 hectares, while infrastructure and livestock losses are being further compiled.
S. Mundian further informed that NDRF, SDRF, Army, Navy columns and BSF teams were pressed into service with boats and manpower to carry out rescue and relief operations. District administrations ensured uninterrupted supply of drinking water, food packets and medical assistance, while veterinary teams were deployed to attend to livestock needs.
