Surat, July 12 (IANS) Surat district authorities have deployed 65 additional survey teams to accelerate damage assessment in flood-hit parts of the city, aiming to ensure that affected residents receive financial relief without delay after recent heavy rainfall and tidal flooding.

The decision was taken under the supervision of District Collector Tejas Parmar as the administration seeks to complete surveys of casualties, injuries, damage to homes, household belongings and other movable and immovable property at the earliest.

The surveys form the basis for distributing government relief, including cash doles and compensation for household losses.

To strengthen the exercise, 13 officers from the State Tax Department and their staff have been assigned to the operation, creating 65 new teams comprising 338 officers and employees.

The newly deployed personnel have been directed to begin field surveys immediately. The additional teams have been assigned primarily to Udhna and Majura, the worst-affected areas of Surat city.

The district administration said more officers and staff could be deployed in the coming days if required.

The reinforcement comes on top of an earlier deployment of more than 50 survey teams, involving around 250 officers and employees, who were already carrying out assessments in flood-affected localities.

Officials expect the expanded workforce to speed up the verification process and enable eligible beneficiaries to receive relief assistance more quickly.

Meanwhile, the district administration has continued the distribution of financial assistance to flood-affected families.

According to official figures, by 6 p.m. on Saturday, a total of 2,877 beneficiaries across six affected talukas had received more than Rs 65.21 lakh in financial assistance through cash doles and compensation for household damage.

Of the total, 1,918 beneficiary families received cash doles amounting to more than Rs 17.26 lakh. Udhna accounted for the largest share, with 1,666 beneficiaries receiving more than Rs 14.99 lakh.

In Katargam, 84 people received Rs 75,600, while 86 beneficiaries in Majura were paid Rs 77,400 and 82 beneficiaries in Abrama received Rs 73,800. The administration also distributed compensation for damaged household belongings.

A total of 959 beneficiaries received a total of Rs 47.95 lakh. Udhna again received the largest allocation, with 833 families receiving Rs 41.65 lakh.

Katargam received Rs 2.10 lakh for 42 families, Majura got Rs 2.15 lakh for 43 families, and Abrama got Rs 2.05 lakh for 41 families.

Officials said survey operations remain underway and additional eligible beneficiaries will receive assistance as assessments are completed.

–IANS

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