SRINAGAR: CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Sunday expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by flash floods and cloudbursts triggered by torrential overnight rains in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, and called for a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for the affected families.
In a statement, Tarigami extended his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with those affected by the disaster.
He said the scale of devastation in Surankote, Rajouri town, Manjakote and several adjoining areas was deeply distressing, with reports of fatalities, houses reduced to rubble, damage to public infrastructure, a graveyard washed away and several people still missing.
The CPI(M) leader appreciated the efforts of rescue personnel, local volunteers and government officials who have been carrying out search and relief operations despite continuous rainfall, damaged roads and difficult terrain.
Tarigami urged the administration to give the highest priority to rescue and search operations and ensure that all available resources are deployed until every missing person is traced and affected families receive timely assistance.
He demanded immediate ex-gratia compensation for the families of those killed in the disaster, free medical treatment for the injured and a special rehabilitation package for people whose homes, shops, agricultural land and other sources of livelihood have been damaged or destroyed.
He also sought fair compensation for losses suffered by farmers due to damage to livestock, standing crops and orchards, and called on the government to provide temporary shelter, food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to displaced families without delay.
Highlighting the recurring impact of natural disasters on the border districts, Tarigami said the region required greater attention in terms of disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure. He stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems, improve drainage networks, protect riverbanks and implement scientific flood mitigation measures in vulnerable areas to minimise future losses.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Poonch and Rajouri, Tarigami said the affected families should not be left to rebuild their lives on their own. He urged both the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Central government to provide all necessary support for relief, rehabilitation and long-term reconstruction of the flood-hit areas.
