Ministers Conduct Ground Assessment of Rajouri Flood Damage, Direct Swift Restoration and Relief Measures
RAJOURI, JULY 22: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, along with Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on Wednesday visited the flood-affected areas of Rajouri district to assess the damage caused by recent flash floods and review the ongoing relief, rescue and restoration efforts.
The Ministers were accompanied by MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, MLA Rajouri Iftkhar Ahmed and senior district officers during the visit.
They toured the worst-hit localities, including Bella Colony in Darhal, where incessant rainfall triggered flash floods after the Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola streams overflowed, inundating low-lying areas. The Darhali river also breached the flood protection wall near Bella Colony, resulting in severe flooding at the new bus stand and causing extensive damage to dozens of vehicles.
Interacting with affected families, the Ministers reviewed the losses suffered by residential houses, public infrastructure, drinking water supply systems and other essential services.
Javed Rana said the flash floods had caused extensive damage to roads, water supply schemes, power infrastructure, irrigation facilities, flood protection bunds and residential properties, while several rural areas had been cut off due to damaged connectivity.
He directed the district administration and all concerned departments to work in close coordination and restore essential services, particularly drinking water supply, road connectivity and public utilities, on a war footing. He also called for a time-bound assessment of damage to houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure to ensure prompt disbursement of relief and compensation to affected families.
Emphasising the urgent restoration of electricity, Rana said several water supply schemes remained disrupted due to the power outage. He instructed the Power Development Department to expedite restoration of electricity to facilitate the resumption of drinking water supply in the affected areas.
Assuring the affected families of full government support, the Ministers said the administration, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was committed to providing timely relief, rehabilitation and the early restoration of normalcy.
"Every possible effort will be made to provide immediate assistance, restore essential services and ensure that relief reaches every deserving family without delay," Rana said.
Satish Sharma said the government's immediate priority was to restore essential services, support affected families and ensure the timely implementation of relief and rehabilitation measures through coordinated efforts of all departments.
The Ministers also urged residents to strictly follow weather advisories and avoid visiting flood-prone areas until conditions improve. ANB
