New Delhi/Jaipur, Sep 3 (IANS) The central government Saturday approved a Rs.3.5-billion relief package for flood-hit districts of Rajasthan.
The approval came during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
A central team will tour the flood-affected areas of the state Sunday.
"The nine-member team will be headed by D.K. Sikri, the registrar general of India. It will tour almost all the flood-affected areas in the state," Rajasthan's relief secretary R.K. Meena said in Jaipur.
Twelve districts of the state were affected by a flood-like situation in recent months. These include Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Jhalawar, Kota, Barmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi and Jaisalmer.
Over 139 people have died in different incidents and heavy damage was caused to roads, electricity, water supply and dams.
The desert district of Barmer was the worst affected due to flash floods. Over 800,000 people out of a population of 2 million were affected.
There are also reports of large-scale damage to houses and property in Barmer. Unconfirmed reports say 5,200 houses were damaged and agriculture crop worth Rs.300 million was wiped out.
The state government had sought a special package of Rs.32 billion from the union government for the losses suffered.
Kawas and Malva are still submerged in over eight feet of water. The state government is planning to relocate these villages.