Speed Post News Network
Patna : PM Narendra Modi on August 26, 2017, made an aerial survey of four flood affected districts of Purnia Division : Katihar, Purnia, Araria and Kishanganj, and announced release of Rs 500 crore as immediate relief to the flood hit people in 19 districts of Bihar.
The PM promised to send a central team to Bihar soon to assess the damage caused by the flood, which has so far claimed 418 lives in the state including 87 in Araria district alone and affected 1.67 crore people in 19 districts. The PM also asked the Insurance companies to send their supervisors soon to the flood affected areas in Bihar to assess the damage caused to standing crops so that the claims of the farmers is settled at the earliest under Crop Insurance Scheme.
The PM also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PM Relief Fund to those killed in the flood and Rs 50,000 each to those seriously injured.
After making the aerial survey of the flood hit areas, the PM reviewed the relief and rescue operations besides the rehabilitation of the flood affected people with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and senior state government officials at Chunapur Airport of Air Force in Purnia district from where he later flew back to Delhi.
The PM also directed the Union Road and Surface Transport Ministry to repair the roads damaged in the flood. The PM also promised support to the state government in restoration of power infrastructure damaged in the flood.
PM Modi also referred to his recent talks with Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba during which it was decided that a detailed project report would be prepared at the earliest on the Saptkoshi Dam and Sunkoshi Storage-cum-Diversion scheme.