Over 15 die in MP flood, CM announces Rs. 4 lakh compensation

Bhopal, Aug. 20 (ANI): As at least 15 people have lost their lives due to heavy rains and rescue operations are on to help those who are trapped in floods, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each next of kin to the deceased. Briefing the media, Chaohan said due to excess rain, flood-like-situation has been experienced in parts of Madhya Pradesh, however, Reva, Satna and Panna are three severely-affected districts. He added that all safety measures have been undertaken and the administration is on their toes to provide aide to civilians. Until now, 4,215 people have been rescued from Satna district and 1,550 people from Rewa, said Chauhan. "In these three districts, we have deployed teams of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and army, along with two helicopters, to deal with the situation," he added. The chief minister said as many as 12 SDRF teams have been deployed in the entire region and the rescue operations are on. "Excessive rain has severely affected 35 villages of Rewa, five villages of Satna, and almost 21 villages of Panna," Chaohan said. Stating that almost 3,500 people are living in 38 relief camps in Rewa, Chauhan added, "We are providing proper food, medicines and other basis requirements at relief camps." In house collapse incidents, seven people died in Sagar, two died in Katni and six died in Chattrapur, said the chief minister, adding that "Rs 4 lakh compensation will be given to next of kin to the deceased." Meanwhile, 18 have been injured in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur district after a bus fell into a river, however, all passengers have been rescued and medical aid is being provided to them. The Chief Minister added that he has also postponed his 'Tiranga Yatra' programme, and would visit places that are badly affected by floods.(ANI)