The High-Level Committee (HLC), chaired by the Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah, met in New Delhi to consider additional central assistance to seven states, which were affected by natural calamities such as floods, landslides and cloudburst during the south-west monsoon 2019.
The HLC approved additional central assistance of Rs. 5908.56 crore to seven States from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF):
– Rs. 616.63 crore to Assam,
– Rs. 284.93 crore to Himachal Pradesh,
– Rs. 1,869.85 crore to Karnataka,
– Rs. 1,749.73 crore to Madhya Pradesh,
– Rs. 956.93 crore to Maharashtra,
– Rs. 63.32 to Tripura and
– Rs 367.17 crore to Uttar Pradesh
Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, was present in the meeting, along with senior officers of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Agriculture and NITI Aayog.
Earlier, the Central Government has released interim financial assistance of Rs. 3,200 crore to 4 States – Rs 1,200 crore to Karnataka, Rs 1,000 crore to Madhya Pradesh, Rs 600 crore to Maharashtra and Rs 400 crore to Bihar.
In addition, during 2019-20, till date, Central Government has released Rs 8,068.33 crore to 27 States as Central share from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
According to a Humanitarian Snapshot Report 19, here are the damages incurred by some of the worst-hit states.
1. ASSAM
Floods hit Assam and since then the rivers in the state have been flowing above the danger level. Over 21 districts of Assam with more than 34 lakhs people have been affected by flood and 74 people have died so far due to the flood and landslides. Moreover, 1462632 animals were affected, and more than 2.7 lakhs hector crops were damaged. Along with this, 3,211 houses were fully damaged and 16,804 partially damaged.
2. BIHAR
According to the flood report, more than 80 lakhs people in 12 districts were affected and 106 lives were lost in the flood.
3. MAHARASHTRA
Maharashtra witnessed heavy rainfall in 2019 and floods and landslides were widely prevalent in Mumbai and Pune area. Over 11 flights and train services were cancelled due to heavy rains. The state government declared a holiday for the schools and colleges.
Mumbai Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express train with more than 2,000 passengers was stuck between Vangani and Badlapur which is 100 Km far from Mumbai. The NRF team had to get engaged in rescue operation but no casualty has been reported from the state.
5. TRIPURA
Around 25,886 people from West Tripura district and Khowai district have been affected due to floods.
6. UTTER PRADESH
So far, over nine people have died in the state due to heavy rain-related incidents.
7. JHARKHAND
Death of 15 people was reported by media in the state due to lightning strikes and the casualty was reported from Jamtara, Dumka, Pakur and Ramgarh.
