Sahnewal (Punjab), Sep 12 : Union Minister B.L. Verma on Friday visited Sasrali village in Sahnewal constituency in Punjab to personally review the flood situation and the measures being undertaken to protect the affected areas.

He inspected over 2.5 km of temporary embankments constructed with the active support of the villagers to safeguard their farmland and homes.

Pritpal Singh Baliawal, BJP spokesperson, and Gagandeep Singh Kaint, District Ludhiana (Rural), were also present during the inspection. During the visit, Pritpal Singh Baliawal apprised the minister about the extent of the devastation.

He informed that nearly 450 acres of fertile agricultural land had been washed away into the Sutlej river, and categorically highlighted illegal mining in the region as the primary reason for such large-scale destruction.

The minister interacted with residents and farmers of the affected areas, assuring them of the Central government's full support.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP-led government has already announced an additional relief package of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab, over and above the Rs 12,000 crore allocated under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

He further assured that if any additional assistance is required, the Central government stands firmly with the people of Punjab in this hour of need.

Union Minister Verma also appreciated the tireless efforts of BJP volunteers who have been working day and night alongside local villagers to provide relief and strengthen embankments. He further distributed flood relief kits to the residents of Sasrali village.

Meanwhile, state Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that encouragingly, people sheltering in relief camps are steadily moving back to their homes, resulting in the number of operational camps dropping from 111 on September 11 to 100 on September 12.

He said there is a noticeable decrease of 460 inmates in the relief camps, pointing to gradual restoration of normalcy as families return to their homes. He said the cumulative figure of evacuated persons has reached 23,340 so far.

Currently, 4,125 people remain in government-run relief camps as against 4,585 a day earlier.

He said that with no more affected crop area reported as per district reports, the affected crop area has been assessed at 192380 hectares till date, with no fresh area reported damaged during the last 24 hours.

The Cabinet Minister said that one missing person has been reported from Jalandhar, while three persons are still reported missing from Pathankot.

/IANS