Relief distribution underway in Palghar for flood victims; Rs 32 lakh disbursed to kin of deceased

Palghar: The district administration in Maharashtra's Palghar district has stepped up the distribution of financial assistance and relief packages to families affected by floods during the first week of this month, which left 20 dead, officials said on Saturday.

According to an official release, surveys were conducted, disaster management, agriculture, animal husbandry, public works, and electricity departments to register the damage.

"Post-mortem reports for 13 out of 20 victims have been received. Of these, legal heirs of 12 deceased individuals were declared eligible for state financial assistance as per government norms," it said.


An ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh per family was sanctioned for each eligible victim, and financial aid totalling Rs 32 lakh has already been disbursed to eight families, it said. The process to release the money to the remaining families is underway, said officials.

The administration also completed assessments of damage to affected houses, shelters, and livestock, the release said.

Surveys identified 44 fully damaged houses, 421 partially damaged houses, 126 partially damaged kutcha houses, 10 damaged huts, and 3 damaged cattle sheds, it said.

Officials have completed inspection of 19,026 households where floodwaters inundated homes, and the disbursement of financial aid for these affected residents is ongoing, it said.

The rains also left "seven large milch animals, 23 small milch animals, and six large draught animals", all of which qualify for financial compensation, the release said.

"The district administration is working with sensitivity and complete coordination to ensure that daily life returns to normal for flood-affected citizens, no eligible person is left out, and state aid reaches everyone in a timely manner," the release said, quoting Collector Indu Rani Jakhar.

Officials clarified that while these primary assessments correspond to the heavy downpours during early July, fresh surveys have already been initiated for regions affected by the torrential rains on July 23. Surveys in remaining inundated pockets will commence as soon as floodwaters recede, they added.

Recent heavy rains cut off several villages in Palghar, forcing the administration to evacuate 1,155 people, officials had said on Friday. The rains also claimed at least three lives.