Jammu, August 16 (Scoop News)- Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, on Friday exhorted upon the officers to be prompt and extra vigilant towards their services to deal with the situation arisen due to heavy rains and flash floods in the region effectively.
The Minister was chairing a high level meeting of officers at Summer Secretariat convened to review the preparedness of all concerned departments in tackling the flood situation.
The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ajeet Kumar Sahu besides other senior officers of various departments.
Aijaz directed the officers to initiate effective measures to prevent soil erosion and other damages to houses and public assets due to rains and floods. He asked the divisional functionaries to depute a team of experts to assess the loss of human lives and property due to the recent devastating flood and heavy rains. He also asked to submit the report within week’s time.
He took stock of the flood losses and directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to assess the same so that adequate relief and rehabilitation measures could be taken up at the earliest. He instructed the flood control authorities to remain present at their respective sites round the clock and ensure that all urgent works are done on priority.
The meeting was informed that the incessant rains have caused death of 23 persons besides damaging 836 residential houses completely and 2161 houses partially. Besides, various roads have also been damaged and the livestock has also been affected.
The Minister directed all the departments to redouble their efforts so that speedy relief and rehabilitation measures could be initiated for the affected people. He directed the R&B authorities to immediately repair the damaged roads. He assured that every possible help will be extended to the affected people for required relief and rehabilitation. He said that government is keen to address the concerns of flood victims on priority and the administration machinery is being geared up for timely redressal of the grievances of the people.
To monitor the flood situation besides extending help to the people, control rooms have been set at divisional and district level. The contact numbers of divisional level control room is 0191-2479934 and 2478995.
Meanwhile Army rescues over 50 people from flash floods in Surankote in Jammu region.
Responding to frantic calls from the civil administration and the local inhabitants, the Army and Police rescued Over 50 people trapped by flash floods in Suran River at Surankote, Poonch during an operation which lasted for more than 7 hours just prior to Independence Day.
Reacting swiftly the army dispatched two columns of Rashtriya Rifles Battalions under aegis of Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) which launched a major rescue operation at approximately 11:30 AM, under the supervision of the Deputy Commander, Headquarter Rashtriya Rifles.
Over 50 people, stranded at various places along the course of the river at Daraba, Surankote and Kalai, were evacuated to safety. Mr Basir Khan, who was witness to nature’s fury, said that it was the prompt actions of the Army and the Police which averted a major disaster and ensured that not one single life.
Commenting on the incident, District Development Commissioner,Sajjad Hussain said that “Over 50 people who were trapped, in Surankote, due to flash floods triggered by incessant rains were rescued by the Army and the Police, by about 6:00 PM”.
Surankote and its adjoining areas witnessed unprecedented rains in the past 24 hours. Torrential rains early morning in Surankote and upper catchment areas of Suran River resulted in a flash flood, with the river altering its course and inundating the entire riverbed. The raging torrents washed away the road and bridge leading to ITI Surankote. Several farmhouses were also damaged.
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