Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has said the toll in Wednesday's flash floods in Kullu area would not exceed 35.

Singh, who visited the affected areas and met injured persons, said on his return to Shimla that as per the information received so far, the toll was expected to be much less than feared.

So far, three persons have died in hospital and 16 bodies, mostly of labourers, have been found, he said adding the victims were living in tarpaulin tents in four camps.

One of the camps, in which 30 to 35 persons were staying, was the worst hit.

The exact toll would be ascertained in the next two or three days, he said.

Singh said the government has already sanctioned Rs 50 lakh (Rs 5 million) for relief work and foodgrains, clothing, bedding, blankets, utensils and cash had been provided to the affected people.

He said their employers, contractors for the Parvati Valley power project, have been asked to provide proper huts at safe places.

The chief minister said the government would make it mandatory for contractors and sub-contractors to get the workers registered with the state's Labour Department.

The labourers would be issued identity cards and their addresses would be recorded so that their families could be reached in case of any eventuality, he said.

More reports from Himachal Pradesh