UP govt demands Rs 774.47 Cr flood-relief package from Centre

Uttar Pradesh government today demanded a flood-relief package of Rs 774.47 crore from the Centre and asked it to develop a warning system to alert the state prior to release of water from neighbouring Nepal so that timely preventive measures could be taken.
The package was demanded by the state government through a presentation to Joint Secretary, Home Ministry, MA Ganpati, who is leading a seven member-delegation to the state to visit the flood-affected districts at a meeting with state Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) V N Garg.
At the meeting, Garg informed the delegation that due to release of excessive water from Nepal and rainfall in Uttrakhand, flash floods took place resulting in losses in the bordering districts.

Garg said the demand package includes Rs 34.71 crore for construction of damaged houses and Rs 650.50 crore for rehabilitation works.
Relief Commissioner Leena Johri said that 15.39 lakh population in 1,895 villages in 44 tehsils of 18 districts were affected due to floods due to which more than 50 per cent crops on five lakh hectare area were destroyed.
He said 104 persons were killed and 90 cattle went missing in the floods.
"As the Centre timely alerted cities before Hudhud cyclone, a warning system should be developed to alert the state prior to release of water from Nepal to avoid flood fury. It will help to minimise losses," she added.