BJP delegation reviews ground situation in flash flood-hit Poonch & Rajouri

• Assures full support to victims, seeks immediate relief and comprehensive rehabilitation

POONCH/RAJOURI: Following the devastating flash floods triggered by incessant heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, which claimed 12 precious lives, left several persons missing and caused widespread destruction to residential houses, roads, bridges, agricultural land and public infrastructure across Poonch and Rajouri districts, a high-level Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation  led by Leader of Opposition Shri Sunil Sharma on Monday visited the worst-affected areas of Surankote, Dharara, Sangala and other affected villages in Poonch, followed by Rajouri town and adjoining flood-affected localities, to assess the ground situation, interact with the affected families and express solidarity with those who have suffered immense losses due to the natural calamity.

The delegation comprised Leader of Opposition Shri Sunil Sharma, Former BJP J&K State President & Former MLA Shri Ravinder Raina, Former Minister & MLA Jammu North Shri Sham Lal Sharma, MLA Shri Mohan Lal Bhagat, BJP J&K State Vice President & Former MLC Ms. Shehnaz Ganai, BJP J&K State General Secretary Shri Gopal Mahajan, BJP J&K ST Morcha President Shri Abdul Gani, and BJP J&K State Spokesperson Shri Zorawar Singh Jamwal, along with senior party leaders and local BJP functionaries.

The delegation first toured the worst-affected areas of Surankote, Dharara, Sangala and adjoining villages in Poonch district, where they inspected the large-scale destruction caused to residential houses, roads, bridges, schools, agricultural land and public infrastructure. The leaders interacted extensively with the affected families, listened to their grievances and assessed their immediate requirements. Expressing profound grief over the tragic loss of lives and widespread destruction of property, the BJP leaders conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the Bharatiya Janata Party stands shoulder to shoulder with every affected family during this difficult hour.

Thereafter, the delegation visited Rajouri, where they were accompanied by BJP District President Shri Dev Raj Sharma and Former MLC Shri Vibodh Gupta. The leaders visited the flood-affected localities including Bus Stand, Rampur, Bella, Shivalay Mandir, Anandpur Ashram and the slum areas near Dussehra Ground, where they interacted with affected families, traders and local residents to assess the extent of damage caused by the flash floods. Later, the delegation held a meeting with BJP party workers and prominent citizens to take stock of the extensive financial losses suffered by the business community and residents of Rajouri town. The leaders assured them that their concerns would be strongly projected before the appropriate authorities to ensure adequate compensation, early restoration of infrastructure and comprehensive rehabilitation.

The delegation urged the Jammu & Kashmir UT Government to immediately launch a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction programme, ensuring adequate ex-gratia assistance, financial compensation, temporary and permanent shelter, uninterrupted supply of food, drinking water, medical care, restoration of road connectivity, electricity and all other essential civic amenities. They emphasized that every affected family must receive relief without discrimination and without delay. The leaders also called upon the UT Government to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the losses suffered by affected households, farmers, traders and small businesses and ensure prompt disbursement of compensation.

The BJP delegation further directed the District Administrations of Poonch and Rajouri to intensify rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations, expedite restoration of damaged infrastructure and ensure that assistance reaches every affected village in a transparent and time-bound manner. The leaders appreciated the relentless efforts of the Indian Army, Police, SDRF, NDRF, Civil Administration, Fire & Emergency Services and local volunteers, who have been working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to rescue stranded residents and restore normalcy.

Taking serious note of the advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued rainfall with heavy showers until 22 July, the delegation urged the District Administrations and all concerned departments to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautionary and preventive measures. They emphasized the need to strengthen emergency response systems, pre-position rescue teams and machinery at vulnerable locations, ensure the availability of essential supplies, and make adequate arrangements for evacuation, shelter and medical assistance in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas to prevent any further loss of life or property.

The delegation, however, criticized the National Conference-led UT Government for its inadequate presence on the ground during one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in recent years. The leaders observed that while the people were battling the fury of nature, the Government’s presence and response had failed to meet the expectations of the affected families. They urged the Government to personally monitor relief, rehabilitation and restoration works and ensure that every affected household receives timely assistance.

Interacting with the local residents, the delegation assured them that their concerns would be forcefully taken up with the Government of India, including Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, to secure every possible assistance for the affected districts.

The BJP delegation also demanded a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration package under the ongoing SASCI (Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment) for the flood-affected districts of Poonch and Rajouri. The leaders sought immediate financial assistance for the reconstruction of damaged houses, roads, bridges, schools, healthcare institutions, irrigation facilities, drinking water infrastructure and other public assets. They further urged the Government of India to sanction additional developmental works under SASCI to strengthen disaster-resilient infrastructure, undertake flood protection measures and safeguard the vulnerable border districts against future natural calamities.

The delegation expressed full confidence that, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India would continue to stand firmly with the people of Jammu & Kashmir and extend every possible support for the speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.

Reaffirming BJP’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people, the delegation assured every affected family that the party would continue to pursue the matter vigorously at every level and ensure that comprehensive relief, rehabilitation, compensation and long-term development measures are implemented at the earliest until complete normalcy is restored.