MHA Teams Survey Jammu Kashmir Flood Havoc; Relief Package Expected Soon

SRINAGAR: Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) deputed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are visiting flood-hit areas of Kashmir to assess damages caused by recent floods and landslides, with officials confirming that their findings will determine the scale of central relief.

The teams, comprising representatives from the MHA, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and other key ministries, are carrying out field inspections, reviewing ongoing relief measures, and preparing detailed assessment reports. A relief package is expected to follow based on their recommendations.

According to officials, the IMCTs arrived in Jammu on September 3 before moving to Kashmir, where they have inspected affected villages, interacted with district administrations, and reviewed damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water supply schemes.

Heavy rains since early August have triggered floods and landslides across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving more than 150 people dead, including yatris and local residents. Search and rescue operations are still underway in some remote areas.

The Centre constituted IMCTs on September 1 to assess losses in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. Each team is led by a Joint Secretary-level officer and includes members from agriculture, Jal Shakti, power, rural development, expenditure, and road transport ministries.

“The teams are mandated to assess damages and review relief operations initiated by the administration,” an MHA official told KNO. “Their reports will guide the government in finalising the scale of assistance.”

The mechanism, introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah in 2019, ensures that central teams reach disaster-hit areas without waiting for formal memorandums from state governments.

During their visit, IMCT members said they were noting both immediate needs and long-term restoration requirements, with the local government extending full cooperation. “The team’s visit will help align state-level assessments with central support,” a senior officer said.

The reports are expected to form the basis for additional financial aid and mitigation measures from the Centre.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had visited Jammu on September 1 and 2 to review the situation, meet affected families in Mangu Chak village, and inspect damaged sites, including the Tawi Bridge and Shiv Temple. The Centre has already sanctioned Rs 209 crore to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for ongoing relief operations. (KNO)