Punjab CM seeks Centre help for his flood-hit state

New Delhi, Aug 23 : Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil here last evening to brief him about the grim flood situation in his state, as several villages continue to be submerged rendering thousands homeless.

He said that a Centre's assessment team should be sent to the flood-hit areas in his state to evaluate the losses due to floods.

"Rains in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have inundated around 500 villages. Floods have damaged crops, houses and infrastructure. We have requested that an assessment team should be sent to the flood-hit areas to take stock and evaluate the loss as earliest, so that we can help the people," said Badal.

Punjab is reeling under one of its worst floods over the past two decades. So far, 28 people have lost their lives in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Incessant monsoon rains and rising water levels in most of the rivers and dams have flooded many districts including Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Moga,Bhatinda, Sangroor and Ropar.

Many families have been rescued, but thousands of others are stranded and await succor. Army has been deployed to provide relief to the affected people.

ANI