Tara Chand, Bhalla, Sadhotra assess losses
JAMMU: To review the damage done and measures undertaken by the administration in wake of worsening flood situation due to incessant rains, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand on Friday chaired high level Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting along with Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports Raman Bhalla and Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra at PWD Guest House and assessed loss of life, damage caused to property and public infrastructure across the Jammu region in the last three-days continuous heavy rainfall.
Divisional Commissioner, Shantmanu, Inspector General of Police Rajesh Kumar, District Development Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Chief Engineer PHE Sushil Aima, Director Rural Development Department Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Director CAPD, Chief Engineer R&B besides other senior officers of PHE, PDD, R&B, Revenue, CAPD, Air Force, Revenue, Flood Control, PDD and UEED were also present in the meeting.
The GoM directed the revenue department to assess the losses on this account and submit report to the Government immediately for providing relief to the flood hit families and temporary restoration of public infrastructure.
Deputy Chief Minister and Ministers inquired about the prevailing situation at different locations and assured all required help by the administration. They asked the Divisional Commissioner to depute revenue officials to assess the loss and prepare cases for compensation.
They asked for immediate restoration of breach of bund of river Chenab, Barsati nallahs and other damage infrastructure. On-the-spot directions were issued to the concerned departments to do the needful at the earliest for the convenience of the flood and heavy rain affected families.
They issued instructions to the flood control department to remain vigilant about the situation and be present at the site round the clock. They said authorities should ensure that all works are done on high priority so that damages are restricted to the minimum and people do not suffer due to non availability of required men and machinery.
They also asked for immediately rescue of flood hit people by Indian Air Force from Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Kathua, Samba besides from Gurha Manashan, Chibbay di Kothey, Hamirpur Kona and Pargwal.
The Police and Army administration were instructed to be fully prepared for emergency and be ready with all the necessary supplies and equipment like tents, medicines etc so as to shift people from low lying areas to safer places within a short notice, adding that temporary rehabilitation facilities should also be made ready.
Later, the Group of Ministers also conducted aerial survey of Gurha Manashan, Chibbay di Kothey, Hamirpur Kona and Pargwal and assessed the facilities being provided by the administration to the flood and heavy rains affected families.