PM has assured monetary aid for Uttarakhand flood victims: CM Vijay Bahuguna

New Delhi, Aug.7 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna that monetary and allied assistance will be provided to flood victims of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand.

Speaking to media after a meeting with the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bahuguna said: "I had met Sonia Gandhi in the morning and she has been told about the existing situation in the state. The Prime Minister has also been informed. We have been assured that the government would provide all kinds of possible support to tackle the damages caused by the cloudburst and resultant floods."

He added: "Food and medical assistance would be provided to the stranded pilgrims. Measures would also be taken to shift the pilgrims to safer grounds. Moreover, we are dependant on the weather. It might get worsen. I would visit the place again. We have given an estimation of nearly 600 crores at the initial stage, as we haven't visited most of the areas. As somebody has mentioned, there is a procedure to acquire the relief package but it is believed that the government would release the 'ad hoc' relief by the evening."

Bahuguna had earlier conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected region along with Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat.

Rawat said it was the moral responsibility of the government to provide relief and assistance to the flood-hit.

The state administration is settling the affected people in hotels and ashrams and dharamshalas.

The Red Cross has also been approached for all possible assistance.

Reportedly over 2,000 families have been affected by flash floods triggered by the cloudburst over Uttarkashi region in the state.

Fatal casualties were believed to be more than 28.

Reportedly, the River Bhagirathi did swell up and caused flash floods, which, washing away hundreds of houses, commercial buildings and two bridges besides damaging standing crops. (ANI)