Manmohan Singh to visit cloudburst-hit Leh today

New Delhi, Aug 17 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will undertake a day long visit to Leh on Tuesday, which was hit by a cloudburst and flash floods.

Dr. Singh will visit some of the hospitals where the injured are undergoing treatment and also review relief and rehabilitation measures along with senior officials.

Earlier on Sunday, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives in the recent mudslide triggered by a cloudburst in Leh, Dr. Singh said the Central Government will do everything possible for the rehabilitation of the affected people.

"A few days back, many precious lives were lost in Laddakh due to a cloud burst. In this hour of grief, the whole country stands with the people of Laddakh. It is my assurance that the Central Government will do everything possible for rehabilitation of the affected people,"

The Prime Minister had earlier announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

The 434-kilometer vital Srinagar-Leh road damaged by the recent flash floods and landslides triggered by cloudbursts has been restored after days of hectic work done by the engineers and men of the Army, Border Roads Organisation and allied agencies.

The Leh-Manali road, which is the other vital link, has also been restored after the Army personnel built in several bridges in less than a week.

Earlier on Saturday, the relief and rescue operations at Leh and its neighboring areas continued for the ninth consecutive day.

The total death toll rose to over 189, including 18 Nepali and Tibetan workers, three French, one Spanish and one Italian tourist. Around 500 people sustained injuries in the natural calamity. Flash floods and mudslides have swept the road links and bridges in the area. The deluge has damaged hospitals, schools, government buildings, bus terminals, radio station transmitter, telephone exchange and mobile-phone towers. Five villages Sabu, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglumsar and Shapoo are worst hit by the sudden downpour and flash floods. Old Leh city is also among the worst affected. (ANI)