Chandigarh, Sept. 7 -- Punjab has pegged its initial loss due to floods at nearly Rs.13,500 crore, with agriculture and rural infrastructure bearing the brunt of the devastation.

The estimates, including a plea for Rs.1,900 crore as immediate compensation for devastated farmers, who have suffered complete loss of crops at the peak of the sowing season, were placed before the central team of experts, which has been camping in Punjab for the past two days.

After a two-day field visit in flood-affected areas, on Saturday, the team held detailed discussions with senior state government officials, led by the chief secretary, in Chandigarh to assess the scale of destruction.

According to the preliminary departmental estimates, the rural deve...