Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and took stock of the flood situation in their respective states.
He also assured all possible support from the Centre in meeting the crisis situation that has erupted in the two northern states over the last few days due to heavy rains and snowfall.
“Spoke to Himachal Pradesh CM @jairamthakurbjp Ji and Punjab CM @capt_amarinder Singh Ji regarding the flood situation in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab,” tweeted the PM.
“Assured all possible support from the Centre in mitigating the situation arising due to heavy rains and floods,” he added.
Spoke to Himachal Pradesh CM @jairamthakurbjp Ji and Punjab CM @capt_amarinder Singh Ji regarding the flood situation in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Assured all possible support from the Centre in mitigating the situation arising due to heavy rains and floods.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 26, 2018
The Himachal CM apprised the PM that the hill state has suffered losses totalling approximately Rs 1,250 crore due to the heavy rains.
More than 650 people, including five foreigners, have been evacuated in the past two days and over 1,000 are still stranded in snow-marooned Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
Three stranded persons, including a pregnant woman from Nepal, have died in the past two days.
On Wednesday, as the weather cleared, the government and the Indian Air Force (IAF) stepped up efforts to airlift tourists stranded for the past four days.
The IAF has deployed three helicopters at Bhuntar for the rescue and relief operations undertaken at Kullu, Bhuntar and Rohtang.
On 25 September, IAF helicopters picked up seven people from Patsio. Today, three Danish and 2 Norwegian Nationals were picked up from Baralachla Pass. Additionally, 14 people from Stingri located at a height of 3,100 metres were picked up safely.
The IAF said that most landings of the choppers are being done on road due to absence of appropriate landing grounds.
Around 1000 food packets were dropped on Tuesday for stranded people ahead of Rohtang. IAF choppers dropped another 1000 packets today.
On the other hand, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas around river Beas in his state.
“I have asked the deputy commissioner to give me a report of the destruction of crops so that we can give compensation accordingly. Five people have lost their lives in the area towards Gurdaspur. Damage is being assessed by the revenue department,” ANI quoted Singh as saying.
He also interacted with farmers and their families residing on the banks of Beas river in Mand area of Sultanpur Lodhi.
On an aerial survey to assess damage caused in areas around river Beas by the recent rains. pic.twitter.com/npF3Q2cNaX
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) September 26, 2018
“The damage to the crops here appears to be widespread. Have assured the people that the govt will provide compensation for the damage to their crops, houses and cattle,” said the CM in a tweet.