The number of deaths due to the deluge remained unchanged at 23 as no fresh fatality was reported from any of the seven affected districts where around three lakh people have been shifted to rescue centres.

A sum of Rs 7,000 crore has been earmarked for undertaking long-term measures to minimise impact of future floods, said the statement.

The financial assistance would include Rs 5,000 to every family affected by floods. The state government has relaxed the previous condition of houses being underwater for 48 hours to qualify for compensation, it said.

Similarly, totally damaged houses will get financial assistance Rs 1,50,000 per home, while houses with minimum damage of 50 per cent will get Rs 50,000, the statement said.

Partially damaged houses will get Rs 25,000 per home, the statement said.

He said 1,600 people were so far rescued by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF, while 200 villages are still under the grip of floods, he said adding that boats were being used to rescue people from the affected areas.

While speaking to ANI, State Disaster Management Authority Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said, “So far, 211 people and 438 animals have died in incidents related to rain, cloudburst, and landslide in Himachal Pradesh during this monsoon season.”

“109 houses are fully damaged. Estimated loss worth Rs 632 crores has occurred”, said SDMA Director SK Mokhta. This development comes hours after various incidents of floods, landslides following heavy rainfall were reported in the State.

On Friday, the Delhi administration had sounded a flood alert and expedited efforts to evacuate people from vulnerable areas, as the river in the capital breached the danger mark of 205.33 meters amid heavy rains in the upper catchment areas. The water level was recorded at 205.30 meters at the Old Railway Bridge at 9 am.