Dr Jitendra visits Kathua cloudburst-hit places

Jammu, Aug 22: Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Friday visited cloudburst-and flash flood-hit areas in Kathua district, assuring affected families of immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation support.

He met the affected families and enquired about them and assured them of all possible help in this difficult time.

The Union Minister, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma and senior officers from the administration, walked the treacherous route to the damaged places.

Dr Jitendra visited the Ghatti, Janglote, Bhed Blode and Dhol Khad areas in Kathua district.

On the occasion, Dr Jitendra issued on-the-spot instructions to restore the supply of essential services, such as water and electricity, by this evening and take measures to prevent the occurrence of any epidemic in the calamity-struck areas.

The minister informed that in the meantime, drinking water would be supplied through tankers. He said once the services were back, the district administration would work on restoring mobile connectivity.

Dr Jitendra instructed to immediately provide water tankers, solar lights and medical ambulances in areas rendered difficult to access following the calamity.

Talking to the media, the Union Minister assured of both financial and material assistance to the affected families. He informed that the initial loss was estimated to be about Rs 25 Cr and the Centre was ready to provide any assistance required by the UT administration to deal with the disaster.

“The estimate of the long-term permanent rehabilitation may be much more than over Rs 100 Cr,” he stated.

Dr Jitendra said houses damaged would be built again, and land would be provided to those whose was blown away in the flash floods. On the occasion, he distributed relief material among the victims.

He also distributed ration kits from personal resources. The Minister, who is also Minister in charge of IMD (India Meteorology Department), announced a regional centre of IMD for Jammu province, to be based at Jammu.

“A national mission has been launched to study Himalayan ecosystem sustainability,” he informed.

The Union Minister noted that since the Parliament was in session, it was difficult for him to visit. However, he reached the affected places immediately after the conclusion of the session.

However, he said he had remained in constant touch with the Deputy Commissioner and SSP ever since the cloudburst-induced flash floods occurred to receive regular updates about the evolving situation.

Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the role of the Armed Forces, including the Indian Army, Air Force, CRPF and local administration, which swung into immediate action, offering chopper services to ferry injured to Pathankot despite inclement weather.

The Union Minister called on the civil society to help the administration in curbing illegal encroachment in flood-prone areas. He said structures built along water bodies exacerbated the situation when natural calamities struck.

Dr Jitendra also called for fixing accountability for poorly built bridges. He said contractors and engineers must answer for the quality of material used and flaws in their design.

On the last leg of this arduous journey, he visited Government Medical College to meet the injured persons undergoing treatment. Accompanied by the principal, Dr Atri, he took a detailed round, visiting each of the persons admitted in wards.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra expressed satisfaction that all the patients were out of danger and many of them were ready to be discharged. He also informed that the day care cancer therapy facility being provided in GMC Kathua by Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai would be upgraded soon.