Pathania urges swift survey, relief for rain-hit families in Udhampur

Udhampur, Aug 25: Udhampur East MLA On Monday, Ranbir Singh Pathania impressed upon the district administration to survey the collapsed houses in incessant rains and process relief cases on fast-track mode.

He stressed that affected families must be provided temporary shelters, rations, drinking water and other essential supplies without delay.

Pathania was chairing a high-level emergency meeting at Udhampur to review the ground situation in view of the devastating flash floods triggered by incessant rains and mobilise immediate relief and restoration measures.

The meeting was attended by the Additional District Commissioner of Udhampur, tehsildars of Udhampur and Majalta, and executive engineers of PWD, PMGSY and PHE, besides Block Development Officers (BDOs) and other senior officers of the district administration.

While describing the calamity as one of the most severe disasters of the century, Pathania expressed deep concern over the widespread loss of life, livestock, property and infrastructure.

He stressed that the foremost priority of the administration must be to reach out to every single affected person and family, ensuring that relief reaches the last man in need.

The MLA further underlined that road and bridge connectivity disrupted due to the floods must be restored immediately, first through temporary arrangements and then through permanent construction works, so that no village should remain cut off.

He highlighted the urgent need for protective works in vulnerable areas and called for the construction of protection and retaining walls as a priority to safeguard habitations from further damage. He also instructed concerned departments to restore irrigation channels and drinking water supply schemes at the earliest so that agriculture and the daily life of the people did not suffer long.

Taking note of the health risks in the aftermath of the floods, Pathania directed the deployment of adequate medical and veterinary teams with necessary medicines and vaccines to prevent outbreaks of diseases among humans as well as animals. He also called for long-term urban flood management measures, including desilting and unclogging of drains and stormwater channels, particularly in towns and low-lying areas, so that such disasters are prevented in the future.

Pathania assured the people that prevention, protection, restoration and rehabilitation would form the guiding principles of the administration’s approach to this calamity.

He said, “The Modi government stands firmly with the affected population, and every possible step will be taken to mitigate their suffering. This disaster is both a challenge and a test of our resolve. We will overcome it with collective will, rebuild what has been lost, and stand shoulder to shoulder with every affected family.”

Pathania further directed officials to submit daily progress reports on relief and restoration works and appealed to the public to extend cooperation to the administration in these difficult times.