Government must prioritise long-term measures for flood mitigation: Sat Sharma

Jammu, Aug 29: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu & Kashmir President Sat Sharma, accompanied by General Secretary Sanjita Dogra and other senior leaders of the party, toured the flood-affected areas of Akhnoor and Chhamb constituencies to assess the scale of destruction and listen to the grievances of the people, said a party press release.

The leaders visited Chak Sikandar, Sitaryala, and Indripattan in Akhnoor constituency, as well as Panjgrain, Gigrial, and adjoining areas in Chhamb constituency, which have been severely hit by incessant rains and flash floods.

Villages remain waterlogged, standing crops have been destroyed, homes have suffered structural damages, and many families have been displaced. The local population narrated their hardships, citing shortage of essential supplies, lack of shelter, and urgent need for restoration of roads and electricity, said the statement.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Sat Sharma said that the travesty faced by our brothers and sisters in these flood-hit villages is deeply painful. He said that the people have lost their shelter, livelihood, and in some cases, all that they owned. He said that the BJP stands firmly with every affected family in this hour of crisis. He called for immediate relief distribution, medical assistance, and restoration of connectivity. The government must prioritize long-term measures such as strengthening embankments, improving drainage, and disaster preparedness to avoid recurrence of such tragedies, he said. Sharma said, “Our teams will remain in constant touch with the people till every affected family receives due relief and rehabilitation.”