Announces regional IMD centre at Jammu
Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Aug 22: Assuring all support and help from Central Government to cloudburst and flood hit people of Kathua district, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that all the damaged houses will be rebuilt and land will be allotted to those whose land was washed away in recent flash floods.
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The Union Minister, who visited the places ravaged by cloudburst and flash-floods in Ghatti, Janglote, Bhed Blode and Dhol Khad, said the land for this purpose is to be identified and he has talked to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who has given his full assurance in this regard. He assured both financial and material assistance to affected families.
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The Minister, who is also in-charge of IMD (Indian Metrology Department), announced a Regional Centre for IMD for Jammu province to be based at Jammu for upgrading and precise weather forecasting system.
A National Mission has been launched to study Himalayan ecosystem Sustainability, the Minister informed.
Dr Jitendra Singh issued on-the-spot instructions to restore the supply of essential services, such as water and electricity, by this evening, and take measures to prevent occurrence of any epidemic in the calamity-struck areas.
The Minister informed that in the meantime, drinking water would be supplied through tankers. He said once the services are back, the district administration will work on restoring mobile connectivity.
Dr Jitendra Singh instructed to immediately provide water tankers, solar lights and Medical Ambulances in areas rendered difficult to access following the calamity.
Stressing in curbing the menace of growing encroachments in flood prone areas, the Minister sought cooperation of civil society urging them to help the administration in curbing illegal encroachments. The structures built along water bodies exacerbate the situation when natural calamities strike, he added.
He expressed satisfaction that the people are showing concern against encroachments of water bodies as earlier when the administration was going to initiate action, people were objecting against the same. It is a good sign that people have now become aware that encroachments of water bodies can create hazards.
Dr Jitendra Singh during his visit met the affected families and enquired about them. He assured them of all possible help in this difficult time.
The families reposed their trust in Dr Jitendra Singh for visiting them as their public representative. The Union Minister, was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma and senior officers from the administration, walked the treacherous route to the damaged places.
Talking to the media, Dr Jitendra Singh assured of both financial and material assistance to the affected families. He informed that initial loss has been estimated to be about 25 crore rupees, and the Centre is ready to provide any assistance required by the UT administration to deal with the disaster. The estimate of the long term permanent rehabilitation may be much more over Rs 100 cr.
Dr Jitendra Singh also distributed ration kits from personal resources.
He appreciated the role of Armed Forces, including Army, Air Force, CRPF and local administration which swung into immediate action, offering chopper services to ferry injured to Pathankot despite inclement weather.
Dr Jitendra Singh also called for fixing accountability for poorly-built bridges. He said contractors and engineers must answer about the quality of material used and flaws in their design. He said how a bridge constructed could not resist the rain water and got damaged.
On the last leg of this arduous journey, Dr Jitendra Singh visited Government Medical College to meet the injured persons undergoing treatment. Accompanied by the Principal Dr Atri, he took a detailed round visiting each of the persons admitted in wards.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh expressed satisfaction that all the patients are out of danger and many of them ready to be discharged. He also informed that the day care cancer therapy facility being provided in GMC Kathua by Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai, will be upgraded soon.
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