NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced financial assistance for two flood-ravaged states in northern India.
According to media reports, 16 billion Indian Rupees (around 181.40 million U.S. dollars) were allocated to Punjab and 15 billion Indian Rupees (around 170 million dollars) to Himachal Pradesh for disaster relief.
Modi conducted aerial surveys of the flood-affected areas in both states, and also met flood-affected people and the officials of the National Disaster Response Force carrying out rescue and relief work in the two states.
The monies would be utilized in rebuilding homes, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, providing relief through the Prime Minister National Relief Fund, and distributing mini kits for livestock.
More than 45 people had died in flood-related incidents in Punjab, where nearly 10,000 people were displaced.
In Himachal Pradesh, flash-floods and landslides claimed over 370 lives, said a media report.
The monsoon had also caused massive infrastructure losses, damaging more than 6,300 houses, 461 shops and factories. ■
