Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government
on Friday announced ex gratia of Rs two lakh each to the relatives
of those killed in a cloudburst that hit the Himalayan town of
Leh in the frontier region of Ladakh.
While the government will give Rs one lakh each to the
kin of the deceased, another Rs one lakh each will be provided
to them from the Chief Minister`s Relief Fund, an official
spokesman said after a meeting of Group of Ministers, convened
to monitor and review the situation in the region.
The GoM, presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,
also decided to release Rs three crore for temporary
restoration of public property and services in Leh district,
the spokesman said.
Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of human
lives and property in the unfortunate incident, the government
directed the Leh administration to intensify relief and rescue
operations in the region and shift the affected people to
safer locations.
Chief Secretary S S Kapur said he is in touch with the
National Disaster Management Authority at New Delhi which has
kept its men and material ready to be airlifted as soon as the
Leh airport becomes operational.
Abdullah asked his ministerial colleagues to undertake
visits to the affected areas and assess the extent of damages
due to floods and cloud burst incidents.
The chief minister said he would visit Leh for on the
spot assessment.
Flash floods struck Leh last night killing at least 85
people.
PTI
