Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal dismissed any link between mining and the floods, saying the floods were caused by excessive rains in the state. , Photo Credit: PTI
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that mining in rivers has nothing to do with floods and categorically rejected the allegations made by opposition parties to this effect.
“It is illogical to make such statements as there is no connection between floods and mining. Legitimate mining in river beds as per mining plan can increase the water carrying capacity of rivers and help prevent floods in low-lying areas, as excess silt is removed in the mining process,” he said while addressing a press conference here.
Shri Lal suggested that the excess silt from the canals should be removed through mining and otherwise so that the carrying capacity of the canal beds could also be increased. He said that according to preliminary estimates, the state has suffered a loss of about Rs 500 crore due to floods caused by excessive rains. He said that so far 35 people have died in rain-related incidents.
“Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall occurred over most parts of Haryana as well as neighboring states for three consecutive days between July 8 and 10, leading to a flood-like situation in the state. As a result, almost all the rivers in Haryana including Yamuna, Markanda, Tangri, Ghaggar and Saraswati were in full spate. Breaches and floods occurred at many places, inundating farms, roads and settlements, causing loss of lives and damage to properties, which required immediate rescue and relief and recovery efforts are still on,” he said.
crop loss
Mr. Lal said that the crop has also been damaged due to floods, but the damage assessment will be done after July, because sowing of some crops can be done again till July 31.
“Areas where there is no water receding will be considered separately, but we have already made provision for compensation at the rate of ₹15,000 per acre for 100% loss. Some financial help is also available from the center. There is no information of much damage to the sugarcane crop, wherever there is water logging, it will reduce.
The Chief Minister said that 12 districts — Ambala, Fatehabad, Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sonipat, Sirsa and Yamunanagar — were declared flood-affected.