Central team likely to visit flood-affected Haryana districts

New Delhi/Chandigarh, July 14 (ANI): A Central Government team is expected to visit some of the flood-affected districts of Haryana today or tomorrow to make an assessment of the damage incurred so far.

The visit is taking place at the request of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who on Tuesday rang Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and reportedly asked for urgent central assistance.

Hooda is reported to have briefed Dr. Singh about the damage to property and crops in the districts of Ambala, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad and Sirsa.

He sought the release of Rs.1,022.94 crore as flood-related relief. On Tuesday, Hooda visited flood-affected areas in Fatehabad and Sirsa.

Meanwhile, district administrations and the food and supplies department had been directed to ensure supply of essential commodities, particularly kerosene and LPG gas, to the flood-affected people.

While admitting that the Ambala, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts had suffered heavily due to floods, he claimed that the situation was under control now.

He confirmed that over 15,000 acres of land in 20 villages had been affected in Sirsa district due to breaches at several places in the River Ghaggar.

The army has been was assisting the district authorities in the rescue and relief operations.

The state Health Department has sought the services of 30 doctors from PGI, Rohtak and 20 from Medical College, Mullana.

Water is said to be receding in 13 villages of Kurukshetra district and 15 villages of Kaithal district.

Flood victims have complained of fever, stomach upsets, skin diseases and conjunctivitis. Over 3.36 lakh halogen tablets and over 2,700 packets of Oral Rehydration Solution had so far been distributed in the affected districts. (ANI)