Ujjain: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday visited those who were injured after several tents collapsed yesterday due to strong winds and heavy rain at the ongoing Simhastha Kumbh Mela here- one of the largest Hindu religious congregations organised in an interval of every 12 years.


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After taking stock of the situation, the Chief Minister said, “The tents that fell apart have to be put back up and we will help with that.''


Expressing his condolence to those who were killed in the tragedy, Chouhan said, ''Áll those injured in the incident are being treated here, four in Indore. The MP government will bear the cost of their treatment.''


 


 


Announcing compensation of those killed in the tragedy, Chouhan said, ''An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh in cash will be given to kin of five deceased, 2 lakh as insurance.''


Rs. 50,000 will be given to seriously injured and Rs 10,000 to others who were injured, he added.


The casualties happened when some tents and gates erected at the Kumbh area collapsed in the thunderstorm. Among the dead was a woman pilgrim who was struck by lightning in Undasa area.


Police official BS Chauhan said nearly a third of the tents put up by the pilgrims were blown away in the squall and that it would take at least a week to erect them again.


Authorities fear the death toll may rise further, as late into the night rescuers were clearing collapsed tents and pulling out people trapped under them.


The rain made large parts of the Mela ground slushy, making rescue operations difficult. Authorities have cut off electricity supply to the area as a precautionary measure.


Eyewitnesses said a drain was breached at Ramghat on the banks of Kshipra, as a result of which filthy water is gushing into the river.


The state government has spent more than Rs 3,600 crore for developing infrastructure and facilities for the month-long congregation.