Punjab floods: Toll reaches 55; 4,585 lodged in relief camps

The number of flood-related deaths rose to 55 on Thursday as 4,585 persons remained lodged in 111 relief camps, even as flood-relief operations continued with focus on preventing the outbreak of disease. Entire staff of health, veterinary and other departments concerned has been working tirelessly to ensure safety of residents, said an official release.

Education Minister Harjot Bains said he reviewed the damage caused by floods in Rupnagar with Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia. He said special girdawari to assess losses had already been completed in 50 per cent of the affected areas. Fog machines had been deployed to check the spread of malaria and other diseases, regular medical camps were being organised and drives conducted to treat and vaccinate animals.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh visited several flood-affected villages in Gurdaspur district, and provided cheques of Rs 50,000 each to affected families with the support of his colleagues.

Social Security Minister Dr Baljit Kaur extended immediate financial assistance to Malout families whose houses had been damaged.

Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar distributed essential supplies to flood-hit families across villages in the Patti constituency, while Food and Supply Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak distributed relief material in Sehora village under the Bhoa constituency.