Srinagar, 22 September (IANS) J&K government said on Monday that it would contact the Center for rapid assistance to the flood affected people in the UT.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presided over a high-level meeting to conduct extensive reviews of flood relief and restoration measures in Jammu and Kashmir.
He instructed all departments to accelerate their evaluation to present the center without delay for relief and restoration.
He inquired about the funds issued during the floods and informed that in many districts, these funds have been used in temporary restoration work. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions, he directed the Water Power Department to avoid temporary reforms and instead focused only on permanent restoration of water supply schemes.
Abdullah also reviewed the security audit of schools conducted after the flood, called for a rapid track of the certification process. While responding to the rumors and misinformation aired on social media about “deliberate delays” in the movement of fruit trucks on Srinagar-Jammu Highway (NH-44), he instructed the Divisional Commissioners and IGP, NH, so that they can issue verified information so that people can be upset with facts.
He was informed that a slow movement is due to poor road conditions in some parts of the national highway and not intentionally.
During the meeting, Abdullah expressed concern over damage to the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar informed that the land subgroup along the circular road had damaged the back of the complex, underlining the need for complex protective measures.
The Chief Minister insisted on the council of his ministers and to quickly finalize departmental estimates and to cover the data with departments to reach the exact data for district officials so that a consolidated proposal can be submitted to the center for a comprehensive restoration package.
He instructed the authorities to ensure strong preparations, strengthen the embankments and insert effective response mechanisms to protect life and property.
He directed the concerned deputy commissioners to submit a report about the acceptance of former Gratia relief in favor of the next family members of Jammu and Kashmir, who recently lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh in a landslide.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Ansul Garg presented a detailed report on the impact of the flood. He reported that the damage in the Kashmir division included 16 houses that were completely damaged, 57 were severely damaged, and 791 were partially damaged, with relief, already aired in all cases.
Sadly, a life was lost, for which compensation has been provided, while in Anantnag, three other deaths in related events were compensated through red cross. The meeting was informed about damage to livestock, damage to cattle sheds and loss of compensation in these cases.
Describing the infrastructure damage, it was reported that about 90 km of roads in 279 road stretchs were affected, of which 52 have been restored, while the rest are subject to repair. Eighty-seven bridges and culverts were also damaged, of which more than half of which were already restored.
A violation is being repaired at Shalina, Zoonipora in Budgam. In the power sector, more than Rs 9.34 crore has been proposed for the restoration of damaged poles, conductors and transformers. Of the 563 affected water supply schemes, 385 are completely restored, while the rest is underway. Security audit has been organized on 115 school buildings, in which certificates have already been issued for 43 schools.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir affected more than 12,500 hectares of land and accounted for agricultural loss with more than 315 hectares of horticulture, which was mainly affected in Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama districts with an estimated loss of about Rs 59 lakh in the districts. On the required supply, the situation was reported as a stable, with shares of petrol, diesel and LPG for several days.
Fruit transport from Kashmir to Jammu and Delhi is moving smoothly, more than 1.37 lakh boxes have already gone.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu presented the situation in Jammu Division, which reported several human and heavy physical damage. He said the floods claimed that 150 people lost their lives, 178 people were injured, and 33 missing, Kishtwar recorded the most number of casualties.
Housing disadvantages were severe, with more than 4,200 houses completely damaged and more than 8,600 partially damaged, worst hit districts are Udhampur and Jammu. Livestock loss was 1,455, and more than 1,300 hectares of crops were damaged.
It was reported that financial assistance of more than Rs 40 crore has been disheveled by the State Disaster Response Fund, with an additional Rs 3.35 crore provided with HCM Relief Fund.
Restoration is underway in areas, with more than half of the roads over 2,700 km and more than half of the already temporarily restored damaged bridges. Permanent restoration of roads and bridges is estimated to be around Rs 893 crore.
The power sector was also badly affected, with more than 49,000 distribution transformers hit and almost all were now restored.
More than 2,000 water supply works were damaged, about 1,600 were temporarily restored, requiring about Rs 195 crore for permanent restoration.
There is also a brunt of floods in the education sector, in which more than 8,800 schools audited for security. More than 5,500 security certificates have been issued, out of which about 5,200 were considered safe, while 758 were declared unsafe.
In public health, 442 water samples were tested, and more than 1,500 health camps were held while screening around 80,000 people. Encouraged, no warning indications of the outbreak of the disease are given.
Chief Minister Abdullah reiterated that permanent restoration of infrastructure and reinstatement of livelihood will be taken on the basis of war after the Center approves a comprehensive package.
The meeting was attended by the advisors of ministers Sakina Itu, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javed Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma and Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani.
Chief Secretary Atal Dullu, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary PWD, Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Secretary School Education, Inspector General of Police, NH, Deputy Commissioner, and other officials also attended the meeting. Many officers attended the meeting through virtual mode.
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SQ/VD