President visits flash flood-hit Leh

Srinagar: President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday arrived in the flood-hit Leh town to review and assess the rescue and relief operations there.
Pratibha, who was received at the Leh airport by Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was briefed by the Indian Army and Air Force officers on the operations under way, an official source said.
The President told the locals that the whole nation was with them.
The president is expected to visit the relief camps run by the Indian Army and the NGOs, the official source said.
Pratibha’s visit comes at a time when people of Leh town have started reconstructing their homes with help from the Central and state governments.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced a grant of Rs 125 crore during his visit to Leh on August 17. He had also announced Rs 100,000 ex-gratia relief for the next of kin of those who died in the calamity and Rs 50,000 each to those injured.
On August 6, flash floods triggered by a cloud burst devastated large parts of
Ladakh’s biggest town Leh. At least 183 people, including 35 armymen, were killed and 200 people are still missing.