Azad visits Chatroo, Kuchal in Inderwal constituency

Expressed hope that Central Government should sanctioned special package without getting influenced by partisan

Chatroo (Kishtwar), October 03: - Leader of Opposition and Former Chief Minister of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad continues to reach out to the different parts of Inderwal constituency which have been affected by recent ceaseless rains, causing landslides and flash floods.

Flanked by Senior Congress Leader and MLA Inderwal, Mr G M Saroori and other local leaders and had an elaborate interaction with the people in Inderwal constituency.

Mr Azad flew to Chatroo & Kuchal in Inderwal Constituency. Soon after landing at these locations, Mr Azad inspected the areas which have been affected by landslides and flash floods. He also interacted with the people at the said locations.

Expressing solidarity with the people who suffered losses in the recent rains and floods, Mr Azad said that continued rains and rising water levels besides causing damages, created trepidations and psychological fear among the people across the State. “The calamitous rainfall that lashed our State in the first week of September has left the people in a state of shock, and there are signs of pillage and ruin everywhere”, said Azad.

People of Inderwal constituency apprised him about the damages that they suffered due to relentless rains, landslides and flashfloods and sought adequate damage compensation for the losses suffered by them.

Mr Azad said he is pained to see the huge tracts of lands getting washed off, infrastructure like roads, buildings, bridges, power distribution network, tourist amenities, etc getting rampaged by the excessive rains and flash floods, adding that the damage is unprecedented and it will take many years to rebuild and restore the devastated infrastructure.

Referring to the announcement of Special Central Package, Mr Azad said that it is the practice of Central Government to announce such special packages for reconstruction and rehabilitation whenever a calamity of colossal magnitude strikes any part of the country.

He expressed hope that Central Government, without getting influenced by partisan considerations, will support the State Government with a liberal financial package without any further delay so that the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation is taken up in the right earnest.

Calling upon the administrative machinery to ensure proper registration of the damages occurred, Mr Azad also advised the people to approach the respective authorities well in time to get their damages assessed. He also sought immediate identification of land at safer locations for those whose lands have been washed out in the flash floods and landslides.

While addressing MLA Inderwal G M Saroori expressed heartfelt gratitude to the LOP in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad for evincing personal interest during the devastating flood in the Jammu and Kashmir and distributing relief worth crores of rupees in the affected areas.

He also said the J&K need to have a comprehensive action plan for disaster management and vulnerability to various natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, snowfall, etc is well known and the current natural calamity has only reinforced the need of giving due priority to the subject. He further said that spreading awareness about the threat posed by natural disasters like floods, landslides, etc will also help to mitigate their impact.