Jammu and Kashmir govt announces ex-gratia for Leh flash flood victims

The Jammu and Kashmir government today announced ex gratia of Rs two lakh each to the relatives of those killed in a cloudburst that hit the Himalayan town of Leh in the frontier region of Ladakh.

While the government will give Rs one lakh each to the kin of the deceased, another Rs one lakh each will be provided to them from the chief minister's Relief Fund, an official spokesman said after a meeting of Group of Ministers, convened to monitor and review the situation in the region.

The GoM, presided over by chief minister Omar Abdullah, also decided to release Rs three crore for temporary restoration of public property and services in Leh district, the spokesman said.

Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of human lives and property in the unfortunate incident, the government directed the Leh administration to intensify relief and rescue operations in the region and shift the affected people to safer locations.

Chief secretary SS Kapur said he is in touch with the National Disaster Management Authority at New Delhi which has kept its men and material ready to be airlifted as soon as the Leh airport becomes operational.

Abdullah asked his ministerial colleagues to undertake visits to the affected areas and assess the extent of damages due to floods and cloud burst incidents. 

The chief minister said he would visit Leh for on the spot assessment. 

Flash floods struck Leh last night killing at least 85 people.