Declare Kashmir floods national calamity: CPI-M

The CPI-M Tuesday urged the government to declare the unprecedented floods in Jammu and Kashmir a national calamity.

"The floods in Jammu and Kashmir have created unprecedented devastation. Even five weeks after the disaster, people in many areas have not received any relief," it said in a statement.

"The compensation announced by the state government of Rs.70,000 for a completely destroyed 'pucca' house and Rs.15,000 for partially damaged houses is too inadequate," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

"It is essential that the floods be declared a national calamity and the relief and rehabilitation package be decided accordingly."