JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday reviewed the situation in the flash flood-hit districts of Poonch and Rajouri and directed the administration to remain on high alert, ensure coordinated rescue and relief operations, and restore essential services on a priority basis amid forecasts of continued adverse weather.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, the Chief Minister assessed the impact of incessant rainfall, flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir, besides reviewing the preparedness of various departments to deal with any further weather-related emergencies.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the flash floods, Omar conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and assured all possible government assistance for relief, rehabilitation and restoration.
“The government stands firmly with every affected family. Protecting human lives remains our foremost priority,” he said while directing Deputy Commissioners and field agencies to closely monitor vulnerable areas, particularly locations prone to landslides, flash floods and inundation.
Officials informed the meeting that rescue teams have already been deployed and kept on alert in affected areas. The Chief Minister directed authorities to intensify efforts to trace missing persons and provide timely support to their families.
He also instructed departments to ensure uninterrupted availability of food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential supplies across all districts. Restoration of damaged roads, electricity, drinking water schemes and communication networks should be taken up on priority, he said, with particular emphasis on restoring power supply in Poonch at the earliest.
The administration informed the Chief Minister that sufficient funds had been made available for relief and rehabilitation. Omar directed that financial assistance to affected families should be released without delay.
Health authorities informed the meeting that adequate stocks of medicines were available and surveillance had been stepped up to prevent outbreaks of water-borne and communicable diseases following the heavy rains.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo called for immediate rescue and relief measures, close coordination among departments and timely submission of damage reports. He also directed Divisional Commissioners to coordinate with telecom companies for the early restoration of communication services in affected areas.
Emphasising inter-departmental coordination, the Chief Minister asked all district administrations to keep control rooms operational round the clock and maintain constant communication with the Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies engaged in rescue and restoration work.
To strengthen monitoring, Omar directed all districts to submit situation reports every six hours until July 24. These reports will be consolidated by the Divisional Commissioners and forwarded to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), which will share updates with the offices of the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the status of educational institutions, noting that schools have already been closed till July 22. He directed the School Education Department to review weather conditions before deciding on reopening schools in both the Summer and Winter Zones.
He further announced that Cabinet ministers would begin visiting affected areas from Monday, subject to weather conditions, to assess the ground situation, monitor relief operations and ensure timely assistance to affected residents.
During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar briefed the Chief Minister on the damage caused by heavy rains and the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation measures in Rajouri and Poonch.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg apprised the meeting about the weather situation in the Valley, preparedness for emergencies and arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Deputy Commissioners of Poonch, Rajouri and Kishtwar also presented district-wise assessments of damage and relief measures, while municipal authorities from Jammu and Srinagar said emergency personnel and equipment had been placed on standby.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government was closely monitoring the evolving situation and would continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard lives, minimise losses and ensure timely relief and rehabilitation across the Union Territory.
