Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reviewed relief, restoration and rehabilitation measures following the recent flash floods in Rajouri and directed the district administration and concerned departments to expedite restoration works, strengthen rehabilitation efforts and undertake long-term mitigation measures to safeguard vulnerable areas.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister observed that natural disasters, particularly cloudbursts and flash floods, have become increasingly frequent in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. He noted that while the Meteorological Department provides rainfall forecasts and timely advisories are issued, accurately predicting the precise location of cloudbursts remains a challenge, limiting preparedness in specific areas.
The Chief Minister appreciated the District Administration Rajouri for issuing timely advisories and pre-positioning men and machinery in vulnerable locations, which helped minimise the loss of lives. He also lauded the prompt rescue, relief and evacuation operations undertaken in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
Emphasising the need for enhanced support to affected families, the Chief Minister said that the existing relief assistance is inadequate to meet the costs of reconstruction and rehabilitation. He assured that the J&K Government would enhance the quantum of relief and provide comprehensive rehabilitation assistance, particularly to families whose houses have been damaged and those rendered landless.
Directing the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri to identify suitable Government land, the Chief Minister said that families who have lost both their homes and agricultural land should be provided five marlas of land for rehabilitation. He further instructed the administration to ensure the immediate provision of special free ration to such families.
Reviewing restoration efforts, the Chief Minister noted that the 33 KV power transmission line between Rajouri and Poonch had suffered extensive damage, disrupting electricity supply. While appreciating the temporary restoration carried out by the Power Development Department, he directed the concerned authorities to complete permanent restoration works at the earliest.
Highlighting the critical role of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department in restoring drinking water supply, the Chief Minister directed the department to submit proposals for the installation of hand pumps wherever feasible to ensure a reliable source of drinking water in affected areas.
On road infrastructure, the Chief Minister emphasised that roads in hilly and mountainous regions require specialised, resilient engineering designs capable of withstanding natural disasters. Observing that designs suitable for the plains cannot be replicated in mountainous terrain, he directed the Public Works Department to submit recommendations for developing more disaster-resilient road infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also directed that a proposal for the construction of a Mini Secretariat in Rajouri be prepared and submitted. He asked the administration to explore the possibility of monetising Government office spaces that would become available after departments are relocated to the proposed complex.
Referring to construction along riverbanks, the Chief Minister observed that rivers naturally reclaim their courses during extreme weather events and stressed that construction in such vulnerable areas would not be permitted in future. He also assured that issues relating to the alternate bus stand, Jal Shakti restoration and other important public infrastructure requirements would be examined sympathetically.
Commending the coordinated efforts of the District Administration and all line departments, the Chief Minister urged them to sustain the same level of commitment and ensure that all necessary preventive and mitigation measures are implemented to minimise the impact of such disasters in future.
The meeting was attended by MLA Rajouri Iftkhar Ahmed, MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma, SSP Rajouri Gaurav Sikarwar, ADDC Rajouri Malikzada Sheraz-ul-Haq, ADC Rajouri Ravi Kumar Sihag and other senior officers.