SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 04: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tonight reviewed the flood situation in the State and received first hand appraisal on the subject in a video conferencing with District Development Commissioners and Div Coms of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister received situation report from the DCs of Reasi, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Ganderbal and Shopian as also from the Div Coms of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister directed the DCs and Div Coms to give top most priority to safeguarding human lives in the current situation of flood crisis. “Rescue and immediate relief should be the most important objective to accomplish with missionary zeal and highest degree of dedicationâ€, he told the officers asking them to be at the beck and call of people wherever required. He told them to keep control rooms open round the clock to keep constant contact with the general people in affected areas.
The Chief Minister directed for procurement of more boats to be kept available in the submerged areas so that evacuation of marooned population is ensured. He also directed for identifying Government buildings, schools and other installations for creating immediate shelter camps for the affected population.
The Chief Minister also received report of the accident that has taken place in Rajpor Kamila village of Nowshera Tehsil in district Rajouri where a bus carrying a marriage party has been washed away by the flood water. He directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to take all measures including Army help in the rescue operation on the spot where the tragic accident has taken place.
The Chief Minister was informed that over two hundred villages have been submerged in flood waters in Kashmir Valley and the most affected area is South Kashmir. Anantnag town is also inundated. It was informed that hundreds of families from submerged areas have been evacuated to the safer places.
The Chief Minister directed for providing adequate shelter and food to the evacuated people who have been placed in camps. “Provide them all kind of facilities including food and blanketsâ€, he told the District Development Commissioner and Div Coms. He also directed for keeping rescue teams on high alert especially during the night hours. He told the officers to be available to the people round the clock and monitor the situation minute by minute.
It was told that huge damaged has been caused to the public infrastructure, including PHE schemes, road network, bridges etc besides private property.
The Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister of State for Irrigation and Flood Control, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary PHE, and Flood Control, Pawan Kotwal and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Tanvir Sadiq.
