Central team reviews flood damage in Pulwama

Pulwama, Sep 9: 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 Monday visited south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rainfall and floods.

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

During the visit, the team was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom, along with several district and sectoral officers.

The team inspected various affected locations, including orchards, paddy fields, damaged roads, bunds, and bridges of Pampore, Kakapora, and Awantipora tehsils.

Later, the team held a review meeting at Circuit House Pulwama, during which a detailed presentation was given on the district profile, its geographical context, and the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and flood vulnerability.

The IMCT was apprised of the multi-phase and multi-faceted disaster response adopted by the district during the floods.

The meeting was also briefed about rescue and relief measures, including ration supply, potable drinking water through tankers, food kits, and medical aid, and relocation of vulnerable families to designated rescue centres.

The team was also briefed about the damage to essential infrastructure like power feeders, drinking water supply schemes, roads, bridges, irrigation channels, and school buildings.

It was informed that temporary restoration works were taken up on priority, and safety audits were conducted in flood-affected schools, with temporary relocations where required.

The team was informed that while short-term measures such as road clearance, power and water restoration, and ration supply have been undertaken, long-term resilience planning was underway, including strengthening of embankments, flood protection works, and disaster preparedness mechanisms.

It was also informed that damage details and estimations were being compiled department-wise for submission to the Centre.

The IMCT appreciated the response measures taken by the district administration.

The meeting was attended by 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, FCS&CA, and Revenue departments.