'Since the tragedy occurred during the night there has been substantial loss of precious human lives... A full assessment is under way,' said home minister P Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha.
The cloudburst in Leh has claimed the lives of 179 persons including six foreigners and left another 400 injured, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
In a statement, home minister P Chidambaram said the cloudburst had triggered flash floods in Leh and surrounding areas of Choglamsar, Pathar Sahib, Phyang, Hanoyogma and Nimu, and the Centre had asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to assess the damage.
"Since the tragedy occurred during the night there has been substantial loss of precious human lives. Damage to property and disruption of communication and services have also been widely reported. A full assessment is under way," he informed the House.
"As per the government of Jammu and Kashmir's latest assessment, 179 persons including six foreign nationals have lost their lives and approximately 400 persons have been injured and treated in various army and other medical facilities," he added.
Chidambaram said there had been extensive damage to public utilities such as BSNL exchange, civil hospital, airport, drinking water supply works, national highways connecting Leh-Manali, Leh-Kargil and also to private properties.
On receiving information about the disaster, he said, the government immediately swung into action and responded to requirements projected by Jammu and Kashmir government for undertaking rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.
Pointing out that over 6,000 army, air force, Border Roads Organisation, NDRF and ITBP personnel were deployed along with rescue equipment to assist the civil administration in relief operations, he said 800 tents, 6,900 blankets, 620 tarpaulins, 1,000 mattresses, food packets and bottled water was sent to the victims.
Apart from doctors available with the army, paramilitary forces, and state government, a medical team consisting of eight doctors and four nurses along with 10 quintals of emergent surgical and medical consumables too were deployed in the affected area.
"Additional medical supplies are being dispatched. Medical equipments have been sent to the affected area," he added.
The civil hospital was made functional and two water purification machines of 4,000 litres per hour capacity delivered at Leh, apart from sending an additional water purification plant.
Sufficient quantity of chlorine and water purification tablets were dispatched and 30% water supply had resumed.
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