Haryana floods claim 10 lives; toll likely to increase, says CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Ambala, July 12: As many as 10 persons have died due to floods in Haryana triggered by incessant rains in the state. Confirming this, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said the toll could increase.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to kin of people who died in the floods. "At least 10 persons have died in the floods so far, but the number may increase.  Two are missing, and many cattle have died...assessment of the losses will be done. An amount of Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia will be given to next to kin of the deceased...", said Khattar.

He was addressing mediapersons after conducting an aerial survey of the rain-affected areas in the state. "For the last four days, incessant rainfall not only in Haryana but in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab has led to flood situations in some districts of the state," said CM Khattar.

He said Ambala was the worst affected district by the floods. "A total of 40 villages are flooded heavily...we're doing all work, wherever we needed help, we have called National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army to those places ...we're doing everything we can," he said.

Taking note of the loss of lives, he said, "So far, 10 deaths have been reported. Apart from this, there is more impact of rain and water on livestock and houses, this will be assessed," he said, adding that all DCs had been ordered to assess the damage caused by the rain and submit a report.

Meanwhile, heavy rains over the past few days wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh triggering landslides, causing power disruption, blocking roads, and damaging bridges.