1,537 people killed in floods across India last year: Government

NEW DELHI: As many as 1,537 people lost their lives during floods in different parts of the country last year, government informed the Lok Sabha today.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for Water Resources Santosh Kumar Gangwar said, nearly 1,10,399 cattle were lost and crops worth of Rs 2,165 crore were damaged in floods in 2013.

Moreover, a total of 2,81,275 houses were damaged during the floods and public utilities worth Rs 2,350 crore were also affected throughout the country, he added.

In 2012, a total of 882 people lost their lives in floods and 31,406 number of cattle were killed.

The minister said the Indian government had launched Flood Management Programme (FMP) during XI Plan for providing Central assistance to all state governments.

Gangwar said under FMP, funds to the tune of Rs 4,049 crore were given to the states during the XI and XII Plans till March 31, 2014.