Sonia Gandhi tours flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN - Congress President Sonia Gandhi surveyed the flood and cloudburst hit areas of Uttarakhand today.

Accompanied by Defence Minister A K Antony and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, Gandhi took a helicopter to fly over the affected areas in Haridwar, Tehri and Kumaon.

Over 60 people have died in cloudbursts and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Almora and Naintial since Saturday.

Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal went on an aerial survey of Tehri, Haridwar, Nainital and Almora to assess the situation.

He’s announced relief of one lakh rupees to families of those who lost their lives.

“If it breaches the 830 feet mark, there could be a deluge. The Teri dam has the capacity to hold water up to 830 feet. The Koteshwar dam will overflow as a result. Massive damage is feared in parts of Rishikesh, Haridwar and western Uttar Pradesh,” said Nishank.

Meanwhile, the Central Government has sent six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue and relief work to the State.

“Three teams comprising of 90 NDRF personnel along with 20 boats and other flood and rescue equipment have been deployed at Haridwar. Other three teams comprising of 101 personnel along with 25 boats and other flood and rescue equipment have been deployed at Rishikesh,” an official release stated.

Ministry of Home Affairs is constantly monitoring the situation in close coordination with the concerned State Governments and nodal Central Ministries, the release further stated.

The monsoon has caused heavy floods in several parts of India like Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand causing heavy devastation to life and property. (ANI)