Centre’s team reviews Budgam relief work, promises support

Budgam, Sep 7: A high-level seven-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) deputed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to review the relief and restoration measures in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday visited central Kashmir’s Budgam district and directed that damage details be compiled department-wise for submission to the Government of India.

Visiting district Budgam to assess the damages caused by recent flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides, the IMCT assured that observations and recommendations of team members would be shared with the Government of India to ensure immediate relief as well as long-term resilience planning for Budgam district.

The IMCT also appreciated the efforts of the  Budgam district administration in relief and restoration works, and said that the assessment report would be submitted to the Government of India for necessary support.

The IMCT comprises Joint Secretary and Advisor (Ops and Comm), NDMA, Col K P Singh; Director, MoRD, Ramavtar Meena; Director, Ministry of Jal Shakti, M&A Directorate, CWC Jammu, Shachi Jain; Regional Officer, MoRTH, Jammu, Navin Kumar Chaurasia; Joint Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Vikrant Singh; Deputy Director, Ministry of Power, Aarti Singh, and Deputy Director Ministry of Finance, Mahesh Kumar.

During the visit, the IMCT members held a review meeting at the DC Office Budgam, attended by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat; other senior officers of district administration, engineers from key departments like PWD (R&B), Jal Shakti (PHE), Irrigation and Flood Control, KPDCL, PMGSY, and senior officers of Health, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, FSC, and Revenue Departments.

The DC Budgam informed the team that the Budgam administration had already initiated both short-term restoration measures and long-term resilience planning.

During the meeting, the DC Budgam presented a detailed overview of the recent flood situation in the district.

He informed the IMCT members that a 24×7 control room had been established for real-time monitoring and response.

The DC also informed the IMCT that low-lying areas like B K Pora, Bemina, Shalina, Rakh Shalina, Baghi Shakurshah, Seerbagh, Summerbugh, and Zoonipora had been affected.

He said that infrastructural projects, roads, bridges, irrigation canals, and power supply lines had also sustained damages.

He also briefed the IMCT members about rescue and relief measures, including ration supply, potable drinking water through tankers, medical aid, and relocation of vulnerable families to designated rescue centres established by the district administration.

The DC Budgam also briefed the IMCT on gaps and challenges like shortage of inflatable boats, communication failures, Jhelum embankment stabilisation issues, mining-related challenges, and backflow from the flood spill channel in Bemina.

He stressed on the way forward, which includes mapping of weak spots, embankment stabilisation, regular dredging, setting up de-watering stations at Shalina, installation of early warning systems and rain gauges in upper reaches, and construction of gates on Bemina Nallah and flood spill-over channel.

After the review meeting, the IMCT, accompanied by the DC Budgam and senior officers, including MLA Chadoora Ali Muhammad Dar, visited flood-affected areas in the B K Pora block and inspected protection works, dewatering points, and restoration efforts.

The team also interacted with residents to understand immediate needs and review restoration progress of Panzan bridge, Bus Adda Chadoora, Shalina, and others areas to make on-spot assessment of the damages and interact with the local population.

Earlier this week, several parts of south and central Kashmir were inundated after the swollen Jhelum River breached its banks, damaging homes, infrastructure, and standing crops.

While no loss of life was reported in Kashmir, the deluge has inflicted heavy losses on agriculture and horticulture, particularly paddy fields and apple orchards.

The IMCT has already visited flood-hit areas of Jammu.

J&K has been reeling under adverse weather conditions for the past month.

Around 150 people have lost their lives in flash floods and landslides, while several key roads, including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, remain blocked, hampering connectivity and relief operations.

Officials said the visit by the IMCT is part of efforts to gauge the scale of damage and consider additional assistance for recovery in J&K.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and several political leaders have sought a relief package from the Centre for the flood-affected regions.

Earlier, the IMCT reviewed the scale of damage caused by recent rains, flash floods, and landslides across the Jammu region.

The IMCT was in Jammu for four days and conducted detailed on-the-ground visits to the affected areas to assess the actual scale of losses and damages in the districts of the Jammu division.