Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday visited flood-affected areas of Kushinagar after a portion of the AP embankment along the Narayani river breached near Tatwa Tola in Jawahin Dayal (Chain Patti) village late Monday following a surge in water flow from Nepal.
The CM announced that 5,000 relief kits had been arranged for affected families. He said families of those who lost their lives would receive Rs 4 lakh as ex gratia, while those whose houses were destroyed would be provided new homes under the PM Awas Yojana or CM Awas Yojana. After conducting an aerial survey of the affected region, he said crop losses in around 15-16 villages would be assessed and compensation would be provided within 10 days. the flow surged to around 5.5 lakh cusecs, causing flooding in villages adjoining the embankment While the river normally carries three to four lakh cusecs of water.
Addressing villagers, the chief minister said that heavy rainfall over the past four days, coupled with excessive rainfall in Nepal, led to a sudden rise in the Narayani river’s discharge. He said NDRF and SDRF teams, along with PAC flood units, had been deployed for rescue operations and that officials from the administration and irrigation department had been engaged in relief work since Monday night. Each kit contains food grains, pulses, essential commodities and household items. Financial assistance would also be given for repair of partially damaged houses. He also directed officials to repair damaged roads and strengthen the embankment to prevent future breaches. Water Resources Minister Swatantra Dev Singh also reached the site and monitored operations.