Rajouri, Aug 6 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced enhanced relief and rehabilitation measures for families affected by the recent flash floods in Rajouri, assuring increased financial assistance, allotment of five marlas of government land to homeless families, free ration and long-term disaster mitigation measures.
Reviewing the relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts at a high-level meeting, Omar Abdullah said the government is committed to ensuring comprehensive support for affected families while directing all departments to expedite restoration works and formulate long-term strategies to minimise the impact of future natural disasters.
“The existing relief package is not sufficient to meet the actual costs of rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods. The Government will enhance financial assistance and ensure comprehensive rehabilitation, especially for families who have lost both their homes and agricultural land,” the Chief Minister said as per news agency JKNS.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri to identify suitable government land for allotment of five marlas to families rendered homeless and landless due to the floods. He also instructed the administration to provide special free ration to all such affected households without delay.
The Chief Minister observed that cloudbursts and flash floods have become increasingly frequent across Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. While acknowledging that the Meteorological Department issues timely weather advisories, he said predicting the exact location of cloudbursts remains a major challenge.
“Cloudbursts and flash floods are becoming more frequent. While weather advisories are issued in advance, accurately predicting the precise location of a cloudburst is still difficult,” Omar Abdullah said.
He appreciated the Rajouri District Administration for issuing timely public advisories and deploying manpower and machinery in vulnerable areas before the disaster, saying these measures helped minimise the loss of life.
The Chief Minister also lauded the prompt rescue, evacuation and relief operations carried out by the administration, police and other departments immediately after the floods.
Reviewing restoration of essential services, Omar Abdullah noted that the 33 KV power transmission line between Rajouri and Poonch suffered extensive damage, disrupting electricity supply in several areas. While appreciating the temporary restoration by the Power Development Department, he directed officials to complete permanent restoration works without delay.
He also instructed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to ensure restoration of drinking water supply and submit proposals for installing hand pumps wherever feasible in flood-affected villages.
Highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure, the Chief Minister said roads in mountainous regions require specialised engineering designs capable of withstanding natural disasters.
“Construction models used in the plains cannot be replicated in hilly areas. We need disaster-resilient infrastructure to reduce future losses,” he said while directing the Public Works Department to prepare recommendations for strengthening road infrastructure.
Omar Abdullah also directed officials to prepare a proposal for constructing a Mini Secretariat in Rajouri and explore monetisation of government office spaces that would become available after departments are shifted to the new complex.
Warning against unplanned construction along riverbanks, the Chief Minister said rivers naturally reclaim their original courses during extreme weather events and made it clear that construction in vulnerable zones would not be permitted in future.
He assured that issues related to the alternate bus stand, restoration of Jal Shakti infrastructure and other important public facilities would also receive sympathetic consideration from the government.
Commending the coordinated efforts of the District Administration, Police and all line departments, the Chief Minister urged officials to maintain the same level of dedication and ensure effective preventive and mitigation measures to minimise the impact of future disasters.
The meeting was attended by MLAs Iftkhar Ahmed, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan and Javed Iqbal Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma, SSP Rajouri Gaurav Sikarwar and other senior officers. (JKNS)
