Flood threat: Mufti releases Rs. 25 cr for Kashmir Div, Rs. 10 cr for Jammu Div for rescue, relief efforts

Srinagar , MARCH 30(KMW): The Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed today announced release of Rs. 25 crore in favour of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and Rs. 10 crore in favour of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, under SDRF for rescue and relief operations following incessant rains and imminent threat of floods in the State, especially Kashmir Valley.
The Chief Minister also said that an NDRF team from Ministry of Home Affairs has arrived in the State which will facilitate the divisional administration in rescue and relief measures.
Mufti Sayeed said this while making a statement in the Legislative Assembly today on the emerging situation in the State following incessant rains. He had rushed to Srinagar from New Delhi to make an on the spot assessment.
The Chief Minister who had been supervising the efforts of the administration during the whole night said he has just come back from the Valley after a detailed on-the-spot-assessment of the situation particularly preparedness in terms of response to the situation. “While the water levels are above the danger mark, last three hours have indicated that there is certain receding in these levels. Our administration is doing a remarkable job and I want to assure the House that there is no need to panic, understandably as it might be,” he added.
Mufti Sayeed said the Government has focused on dewatering, connectivity and a detailed evacuation plan and boats have been deployed in all parts of the Valley. He said shelters have been made functional to receive flood-affected, if any and adequate number of sand-bags are available and are being used in critical embankments so that there is no breach to embankments.
The Chief Minister said the Government has set up three Joint Control Rooms (JCRs) – one each in South Kashmir, Central Kashmir and North Kashmir. “Each JCR has representation of Civil Administration, Police and the Army. They are working round the clock,” he added.
Mufti Sayeed complimented his Cabinet colleagues, Minister for PHE, I&FC, Sukhnandan Kumar Minister for Public Works, Syed Altaf Bukhari, Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb Drabu, Minister of State for H&UDD Mr. Ashraf Mir and Minister of State for Health & Medical Education Ms. Asiya Naqash who supervised the preventive efforts of the administration. He said he will go by the assessment of experts and the flood manual to evacuate if need arises in the low lying areas.
The Chief Minister stated that an unfortunate event had occurred in Ladan area of Budgam District where 16 people have been trapped under
the house debris. “We hope and pray that all of them survive, but as of now we are not in a position to confirm either way,” he said and added that the Police and administration has already reached the spot and we will try our best that all of them survive.