THE Punjab government would soon prepare a comprehensive master plan to tackle the problem of floods in the state. An announcement to this effect was made on Sunday by Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal while visiting the site of breach of Charan Ganga Rivulet at Anandpur Sahib that had caused extensive damage to the property and crops in 31 villages. The official team examined the plugging work of the near 70 feet wide breach and directed the irrigation department to strengthen the banks of the rivulet from both sides to avoid such type of situation in future. The government has also directed the health department to take effect measures and depute a special team of the doctors and paramedical staff for the flood affected areas to prevent any outbreak of diseases. The 31 villages namely Sahota, Chak, Nanowal, Mainpur, Lamlehri, Lodhipur, Balowal, Mindwan, Gajpur, Kotla, Bhadhalhethla, Burj, Mehndli, Bal, Mataur, Chinjvi, Agampur, Bikapur, Surewal, Lalpur, Sandoa, Mehana, Khamera, Chandpur, Kiratpur Sahib, Mangewala, Kotwala, Taraf, Aaspur, Majri, Avankot, were declared flood affected by the district administration A few months back hailstorm and unseasonal rains had severely damaged 18.34 lakh acres of area with standing crops. Then the state government had released compensation of Rs 70.76 crore to the farmers whose crops had been extensively damaged.