MP weather toll 69; 13 missing, Rs 650 cr damage: CM

Bhopal, Aug 16 (UNI) Sixty-nine people have died while 13 were missing in various weather-linked incidents in Madhya Pradesh even as property worth about Rs 650 crore was damaged in floods across 18 districts including Bhopal.

''As many as 1,375 heads of cattle perished and 30,717 houses sustained damage. A total of 38,595 persons sought refuge in 79 relief camps. Normalcy is rapidly being restored in affected districts and not a single person remains marooned,'' Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told journalists here this evening.

Pointing out that damage assessment was at a preliminary stage, he added that the government was focussing on a comprehensive survey and distribution of compensation.

''A scheme, incorporating long-term measures to tackle flooding, is being formulated and includes removal of encroachment over urban drains. The maximum 16 fatalities were reported from Bhopal district while the corresponding figure was 15 in Badwani,'' Mr Chouhan said.

Six people are still missing in this district, 99 heads of cattle perished and 3,698 houses sustained damage. Downpours lashed the state capital on August 13 and 12 inches rain were recorded in as many hours.

''In Guna district, 179 people were rescued by helicopter today in Sada village affected by the Parvati river that is in spate. Two persons sheltering in a temple, at Khejda village, were rescued yesterday. Those rescued are being provided food and medicine at relief camps in Hamirpur,'' the chief minister said.

The situation is fast returning to normal in Hoshangabad and Balaghat districts. Others affected include Mandla, Mandsaur, Sagar, Vidisha, Dhar, Burhanpur, Jhabua, Ratlam, Khandwa, Neemuch, Dewas, Khargone, Shajapur, Rajgarh and Ujjain.

The government will dole out Rs 2,000, for buying clothing and utensils, to every family whose house was damaged. Fifty kg food grain and 5 litre kerosene would also be supplied. A sum of Rs 18,000 would be provided to those whose houses were destroyed and landless labourers would receive Rs 20,000.

''Bhind, Morena, Datia, Gwalior, Sheopur, Rewa, Satna, Umaria, Katni and Damoh are among districts yet to receive optimum rain.

Attempts will be made to provide respectable homes for slum-dwellers and make commercial use of basements in urban areas,'' Mr Chouhan added.

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