PM Modi inspects flood havoc in Gujarat, announces ex-gratia, Rs 500-cr relief fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected on Tuesday the devastation in parts of Gujarat hit by floods and heavy rains, and announced a payout of Rs 2 lakh to family members of those killed.

Gujarat, Modi's home state, has been lashed by rains and several of its rivers are in spate after neighbouring Rajasthan opened dams, inundating and cutting off villages particularly in the state's northern parts. At least 82 people have died since the monsoon rains began a month ago.

"Everything possible will be done to help the farmers, who suffer immensely due to floods. While reviewing the situation, I



could see the Government of Gujarat responded to the flood situation quite swiftly," the Prime Minister tweeted.

He flew over the affected districts in North Gujarat, and announced a relief package of Rs 500 crore. The PM also said a compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be paid for those who died, and Rs 50,000 will be given to those seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

The announcements came as rescuers from disaster response teams and the Indian military raced to reach marooned villagers, some of whom were airlifted by military choppers.