Srinagar/Jammu, May 4 (Scoop News) -Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad Saturday said that the recent earthquake has damaged major residential houses, government buildings, schools and other infrastructure of Doda, Bhaderwah and Bhalesa areas of the state, accordingly the State and Central government jointly have taken up the relief and rescue operation to facilitate people of these areas.
Azad was addressing a press conference at Srinagar International Airport. Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani and Vice Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Shashi Dhar Reddy were also present on the occasion.
Saying that the epicentre of the earthquake was Bhaderwah, Azad informed that the 20-25 tremors were recorded in these areas recently resulting in sleepless nights under the open sky for the people. He said 5-10 thousand tents are immediately required to provide temporary accommodation to the people whose houses have either got damaged fully or partially and have become unsafe for the inhabitants.
Azad said that it is need of the hour to mobilize all resources to provide succour to the affected families. He said that Vice Chairman, NDMA who accompanied him today to review the situation in Doda and Bhaderwah and Bhalesa shall constitute a technical team to formulate a comprehensive project for assessment as well as to conduct rescue operation for avoiding any damage in future. He said district administration has constituted teams for assessment of the damage and extending relief to the affected families. He said All India Red Cross Society provided immediate relief to the sufferers for which he is also the chairperson adding that steps are afoot to provide other necessary facilities to the people of the hilly areas.
Vice Chairman, NDMA also spoke on the occasion and said that NDMA has prioritized Ladakh and Kupwara previously and Doda will be included in the priority list for extending all possible facilities through NDMA, New Delhi.
He assured that NDMA will do its best to provide all possible facilities to Doda Bhaderwah and Bhalesa earthquake victims.
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