Haryana CM visits flood-affected areas

Kurukshetra (Haryana), July 10 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, visited flood-ravaged parts of the state on Friday and announced relief package for the flood victims.

He said the state government has sought help from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue operations.

"Hundreds of villages in Ambala and Kurukshetra have been affected by these floods and the lives of the people have been thrown out of gear. But the administration is extending full support to them, the relief work has started and in the three districts, we have also taken help from the Army and the National Disaster Management team," Hooda said.

Hooda said senior functionaries in the local administration of the affected villages have been advised to stay in touch with state government officials to provide instant relief.

"We have asked the secretary, headmaster and principal of every village, which is flood affected, to stay put at their places with their mobile telephones along with a team of doctors so that whichever village has any requirements, whether food, water or medical aid, can be attended to immediately," he added.

He said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have extended their full co-operation and support to people affected by the disaster.

The districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra and Kaithal are among the worst affected.

Media reports suggest that the state has incurred losses to the tune of almost 6.5 billion rupees, including damage to crops, property and roads.

Waters of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal have also overflowed and submerged many villages in surrounding areas. (ANI)