MP Er Gulam Ali Khatana urges immediate relief for rain-affected J&K residents

• District authorities must provide immediate aid to rain-affected areas: Khatana
• Calls for unified war footing effort to aid flood victims

NEW DELHI: Concerned about the suffering of people affected by the recent heavy rains and floods that have devastated several areas in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament, Er Gulam Ali Khatana, has called upon Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to mobilize district and divisional authorities for immediate relief efforts.

In a statement issued today, the MP said, “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji are closely monitoring the situation. The UT administration has been instructed to exhaust all possible efforts to support the people during these challenging times.”

Khatana emphasized that the Union Territory administration has been instructed to spare no effort in serving the affected population during this challenging period. The recent adverse weather conditions have inflicted extensive damage throughout the UT. Khatana stressed the need for a coordinated and rapid response from the administration, stating, “The residents of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered huge losses due to recent rain and floods. The UT administration should immediately launch a drive on a war footing basis to serve the affected people.”

To address the crisis effectively, Khatana highlighted the critical roles that various government departments must play. He called for a collaborative effort involving the Rural Development Department, Flood Control & Irrigation, Power Development Department, Jal Shakti Department, Public Works Department, and allied agencies. This unified approach aims to tackle the widespread damage and provide much-needed relief to those affected.

He also instructed the divisional heads of the Rural Development Department (RDD), Public Works Department (PWD), Jal Shakti Department, and Flood Control Department to conduct spot visits in their respective jurisdictions in the Jammu and Kashmir regions to hold public Darbars.

He said, “The extent of the devastation is significant, with reports of damage to both private and public property pouring in from across Jammu and Kashmir.” Khatana noted that many areas are facing severe infrastructure challenges, including damaged houses, washed-away roads, soil erosion due to floods, damaged water supply pipelines, and downed electricity poles. These issues have severely disrupted daily life, creating obstacles in mobility, access to clean water, and electricity supply.

To prevent further chaos and ensure effective crisis management, Khatana has called for all departments directly dealing with the public to work in unison. He emphasized the importance of rapid response and active involvement from local authorities in managing the situation.

In a specific appeal to district officials, Khatana urged all Deputy Commissioners in Jammu and Kashmir to convene daily meetings with field staff, including Tehsildars and Block Development Officers. These meetings aim to assess losses accurately and facilitate the prompt delivery of relief to affected individuals and communities.

The MP’s call for action underscores the urgency and scale of the response required to address the damage caused by the recent calamity. By emphasizing the need for daily meetings and on-ground assessments, Khatana aims to ensure that relief measures are both timely and effective in reaching those most in need.

“As the region grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and providing essential support to the affected population. The coordinated efforts of various government departments, coupled with the active involvement of local authorities, will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead and rebuilding the affected areas”, the MP said.