Team of Ministers Assess Flood Damage in Pir Panjal; Relief Package Likely After Assessment

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

POONCH, JULY 23:-In the wake of the devastating flash floods and landslides that struck the Pir Panjal region earlier this week, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Javed Ahmed Rana and Satish Sharma, undertook an extensive tour of the worst-affected areas in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri to assess the ground situation and review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The ministers visited several flood- and landslide-hit villages, where they inspected the damage caused to residential houses, roads, bridges, public infrastructure, agricultural land and other public utilities.

They also reviewed the rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken by the district administrations and directed the officials to ensure that relief reaches every affected family without delay.

The recent spell of intense rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides across several parts of Poonch and Rajouri, causing loss of human lives, damage to property, disruption of road connectivity and widespread destruction of public infrastructure.

Several villages remained cut off for hours, while rescue teams and the administration worked round the clock to evacuate stranded residents and restore essential services.

During their visit, the ministers interacted with affected families and assured them that the Jammu and Kashmir Government is committed to providing all possible assistance for their relief, rehabilitation and early restoration of normalcy.

They also directed the district administrations to expedite damage assessment and ensure transparent and timely disbursement of relief.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already sanctioned ex gratia relief in favour of the next of kin (NoKs) of those who lost their lives in the calamity.

Besides the immediate financial assistance, the government is expected to announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package after the completion of a detailed assessment of the losses suffered by affected families, public infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors in the flood- and landslide-hit areas.