Toll mounts to 47 •Rajnath to visit flood-hit Meghalaya next month
SHILLONG/NEW DELHI: The devastating flood, which has claimed as many as 47 lives so far and damaged several bridges and roads, will cost the state exchequer dearly even as the Centre on Thursday rushed Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and MoS Youth Affairs Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to flood-ravaged Assam and Meghalaya for coordinating and supervising relief and rescue operation.
As per a rough estimate, the State Government will need at least Rs 500 crore to repair the roads alone in the state especially in Garo Hills, admitted Chief Secretary Barkos Warjri.
Besides this, the expenditure for re-construction of bridges and also to rebuild the houses and buildings damaged will run into several crores of rupees.
Several foot bridges have been washed away in the flash flood especially in Garo Hills.
Kharkutta is the worst affected area in Garo Hills.
Regarding the ex-gratia payment to the relatives of the victims of flood, the Chief Secretary told reporters that the matter would be assessed by the respective deputy commissioners.
Asked whether the Centre will declare the flood situation as a national disaster since it has resulted in so many casualties, the Chief Secretary said that facts and figures would be presented to the Centre in this regard.
The NDRF is still engaged in search and rescue operations in North Garo Hills and are required in North Garo Hills and West Garo Hills.
A Government statement said that major roads were opened and on some roads only light vehicles were allowed to ply.
As many as 108 relief camps have been set up in the affected areas. Some people have already left the camps as the flood waters have receded in many areas.
According to Home Ministry sources, the government has been closely observing the situation in the affected areas and Home Minister Rajnath Singh is in touch with the Chief Ministers of both the states.
The Home Minister has spoken to the Chief Ministers to take first hand stock of the situation and has also assured them of all possible assistance from the Centre for dealing with the situation, the sources said.
Singh will visit Assam and Meghalaya early next month to take stock of rescue and relief operations.
Home Secretary Mr Anil Goswami took stock of the relief and rehabilitation works and offered the two state governments all Central help.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been sent to Meghalaya to deal with the flood situation in Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives due to floods in Meghalaya and Assam. He wished speedy recovery for those who are injured, an official statement said. (With inputs from our staff reporter and Delhi Correspondent)