CM briefs PM on flood situation in Jammu
*Ex-gratia for NoK of landslides, flood victims announced
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 27: Why did officials not stop Vaishno Devi pilgrims from treading the track when there was a warning of inclement weather, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned today as the toll in the landslide rose to 35.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said, “We will have to talk about it later. When we knew about the weather, should we not have taken certain steps to save those lives? The weather warning had come to us a few days ago.”
Posing questions for officials, he further said, “Why were these people on the track? Why were they not stopped? Why were they not moved to a safe place? This has to be discussed later. We feel sorrow over the loss of 35 precious lives.” Click here to watch video
Earlier, Omar briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation arising from heavy rains and flooding in the Jammu region and expressed gratitude for his assurance of continued assistance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have spoken to the Prime Minister just a while ago. I briefed him about the situation. I thank him for the deployment of NDRF teams. He has assured me that all support will be given by the Central Government to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.
The CM, who made a whirlwind visit to the flood-affected areas of Jammu, said on X that he briefed the prime minister about the situation in the worst-hit areas as he toured parts of Jammu, along the banks of the Tawi, that saw extensive damage yesterday. “I am grateful for his assurance of continued assistance to the people of J-K,” he said.
The Chief Minister said they were slightly relieved as the rain had stopped today.
“As compared to yesterday, we have got slight relief today (Wednesday) with the fact that rains have stopped. Water is slowly receding in low-lying areas. The damage caused by floods is before you. This bridge has been damaged,” he said.
Abdullah referred to the damage caused to the fourth bridge on the river Tawi in Jammu city during the 2014 floods and said, “I was telling the Divisional Commissioner that in 2014, the bridge had suffered damage at the same spot.
“There is a danger on this side which we were unable to understand properly. Expert teams have to be put on the job to find out why there was damage on this side in 2014 and again today. We will have to take measures so that it does not recur.”
Focusing on the threat faced by the people living along the banks of rivers and flood channels, he said, “The houses along the river will always be in danger whenever heavy rains occur. We will have to do something about this. First, we will deal with the current situation, and later, we will look into that.”
He said the rains have stopped, water is receding in the river and relief operations have picked up speed.
Referring to the situation in other districts following heavy rains and flash floods, he said that for some days, the situation was bad, particularly in low-lying areas of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, besides Udhampur and areas close to rivers in Doda and Kishtwar.
“Some districts, which were apprehended to suffer damage, were saved. Rajouri and Poonch areas are okay. First, let us get out of this rain-related problem; then an assessment will be carried out about the damage to houses. After that, a package will be formulated,” he said.
On the question of people having constructed houses on flood channels, he said, “We will have to take measures, particularly for those living in flood-prone areas. They will have to be settled somewhere else. Their houses get repeatedly damaged whenever floods come.”
Omar visited the flood-affected areas in Jammu to take stock of damage caused due to floods. He assessed the ground situation and issued directions to the administration to take all necessary steps to safeguard the lives of people in vulnerable areas.
He was accompanied by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Satish Sharma. Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr. Rakesh Minhas, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ansuya Jamwal, and other district officers were also present.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas briefed the Chief Minister on ongoing rescue operations, functioning of temporary shelters, supply logistics, and inter-departmental coordination.
During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected 4th Tawi Bridge Bhagwati Nagar, Science College at Old Campus University, Hari Singh Park near Hotel Fortune Riviera and flood hit areas of Gujjar Nagar Jammu. He emphasized that the damaged end portion of the Fourth Tawi Bridge required immediate technical evaluation, recalling that the structure had suffered damage during the 2014 floods as well. He underlined the need for preventive measures to avert similar risks in the future.
On the issue of damaged houses, Omar Abdullah said rehabilitation must be planned in a holistic manner to ensure affected families receive adequate support. He directed officials to identify urgent on-ground challenges and resolve them on priority.
Omar also gave directions to the BSNL and private telecom operators Jio Network & Airtel to immediately restore internet and telecom services in Jammu & Kashmir which has disrupted working and communication in J&K stressing that functioning of communication net work is all the more important during times of crises and emergency.
He directed that all immediate steps be taken for restoring traffic on Srinagar-Jammu National highway and Jammu- Pathankot Highway so that stranded vehicles are cleared and traffic is restored on priority.
He directed the line departments to work on war footing for restoration of electricity, water supply and road access in all affected areas. He added that a comprehensive relief package for Jammu and Kashmir would soon be formulated in coming days.
Later, during his field visit, Omar inspected several flood-affected areas and interacted with residents, assessed damages, and directed officials to expedite relief, ensure temporary arrangements, and restore essential services without delay.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic landslide at Katra near Mata Vaishno Devi shrine – Rs 4.00 lakh from State Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 2.00 lakh per deceased person from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. He also announced relief for victims of other flood-related incidents reported across Jammu and Kashmir over the past two days with compensation from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Chief Minister also announced Rs 1 lakh for each person who sustained severe injuries and Rs 25,000 to 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries in these incidents.
In order to ensure timely response and assistance, the Chief Minister has directed the advance placement of Rs 10 crore with each Deputy Commissioners in Jammu and Kashmir of affected districts. The funds will be utilized to meet immediate requirements of relief, rehabilitation and restoration in the affected areas.
Omar expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and assured that all possible support will be extended by the Government to the victims of these natural calamities.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
