Though the controlled release of water from Bhakra and Pong dams is still a matter of concern, the Bhakhra Beas Management Board Chairman has assured no further danger from extreme release of water.
Meanwhile, no further loss of life has been reported from flood ravaged state in the last two-days but 3.84 lakh people who have been affected in 1948 villages across 23 districts are still trying to absorb the loss they have incurred due to floods. Besides the standing crop, many have lost their homes as well.
Akashvani Correspondent reports that the Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was on a visit to Punjab on the directions of the Prime Minister, last Thursday, had blamed the illegal mining for the worst floods in Punjab. He assured that the Centre will draft a short, medium and long-term plan to bring relief and rehabilitation to the state. At the same time he said the state government will also have to work at the ground level with full seriousness.
Though the state government is yet to gauge the total loss but the two inter-ministerial teams, comprising officials from multiple ministries including agriculture, finance, energy and rural development, are assessing the loss and preparing a damage report for the Union government.
Meanwhile, relief and rescue operations by the expert teams of Indian Army, Air Force, BSF and NDRF are going on. Local people, despite being affected and the NGOs are also putting in yeoman service to evacuate the stranded to safer places.
