Two more persons from Fazilka and Mansa have died in the Punjab floods, taking the number of flood-related deaths in the state to 55.
While relief operations are in full swing across the state, steps are also being taken to prevent the outbreak of diseases as the floodwaters have started receding. Punjab Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said 4,585 people are putting up in 111 relief camps across the state. Forty more people were evacuated in the last 24 hours, taking the number of people rescued to 23,337.
Officials said the entire health and veterinary staff has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents. Regular medical camps are being organised and fogging machines are being deployed extensively to prevent the spread of malaria and other diseases.
Also read: Punjab farmers seek government crop insurance amid floods
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who reviewed the damage caused by floods in Rupnagar along with Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia, said the special girdawari (loss assessment) has already been completed in 50 per cent of the affected areas. He said all rural roads have been made operational to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
Health Minister Balbir Singh visited several flood-affected villages in Gurdaspur district and distributed cheques for Rs 50,000 each to the affected families. Social Security Minister Baljit Kaur extended immediate financial assistance to flood-affected families in Malout which have been rendered homeless.
Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond called for urgent action to clear the accumulated silt and carcasses of animals and repair the damaged infrastructure in villages.
₹102.58-crore damage to power infrastructure
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has pegged the damage to the power infrastructure in the state at Rs 102.58 crore after preliminary assessment. The Upper Beas Diversion Channel (UBDC) hydel power project in Pathankot has been the worst hit with damages to the tune of Rs 62.5 crore.
As per the preliminary assessment report, 2,322 distribution transformers, 7,114 electricity poles and several grid stations have been damaged. Besides, 864 km of conductors and supply lines have collapsed. PSPCL itself has incurred Rs 2.61-crore losses on account of the damage to its office buildings, control rooms and equipment.
Officials said this is only an initial estimate and the actual losses are likely to rise once they carry out a fresh ground-level assessment after the floodwaters recede.
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