DC Poonch reviews restoration works and damage assessment in flash-flood affected areas of Surankote

• Directs expedited relief, rehabilitation and strict monitoring

POONCH: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, who is also Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), today chaired a review meeting at Dak Bungalow, Surankote to assess the progress of damage assessment, relief distribution, restoration of essential services and rehabilitation measures in areas severely affected by the recent heavy rains and flash floods.

The DDC took stock of the status of damage assessment, restoration of public infrastructure, relief distribution and rehabilitation of the affected population. A detailed assessment of damage to residential houses, both fully and partially damaged was undertaken. The DDC reviewed the status of compensation cases, verification of beneficiaries and relief extended to the affected families. He directed the officers concerned to identify all genuine cases promptly and provide relief in a transparent, fair and time-bound manner.

The DDC reviewed the restoration of essential public infrastructure, including roads and bridges, drinking water supply schemes, the power distribution network, irrigation canals (khuls) and other public utilities damaged during the flash floods. He directed the departments concerned to work in close coordination and ensure early restoration of all essential services, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.

Sector-wise reviews were conducted on the losses suffered by the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry sectors. The DDC assessed the extent of damage to agricultural land, standing crops, orchards and livestock and instructed the departments concerned to complete the assessment expeditiously and extend all admissible relief to the affected farmers and livestock owners as per prescribed norms.

The DDC directed the Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle to maintain continuous monitoring of flood-prone and vulnerable areas and ensure that relief and rehabilitation measures are implemented effectively, with assistance reaching only genuine and eligible beneficiaries after proper verification.

Expressing serious concern over illegal mining, the DDC directed the departments and enforcement agencies concerned to adopt a zero-tolerance approach. He instructed that FIRs be registered against violators, vehicles involved in illegal mining be seized immediately and strict legal action be initiated against all offenders.

The Irrigation and Flood Control Department was directed to accord top priority to the restoration of flood-damaged irrigation khuls and other infrastructure so that agricultural activities are not affected and farmers receive timely irrigation.

The DDC directed the SDRF and NDRF teams to continue search and rescue operations and make every effort for the early recovery of the bodies of persons reported missing in the flash floods.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surankote was instructed to personally monitor all restoration and relief works in the subdivision, ensure close inter-departmental coordination, remove bottlenecks on priority and submit daily progress reports to the Deputy Commissioner.

The DDC appealed to the people not to heed rumours or misinformation and to cooperate with the district administration by reporting any damage or losses to the authorities concerned.

Among those present were Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle Vipan Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Surankote Farooq Khan, Assistant Commissioner (Development) Shakeel Ahmed, Executive Engineers of Jal Shakti, JPDCL, Irrigation and Flood Control, PMGSY and PWD (R&B), Tehsildar Surankote, SDPO, SHO, officers from the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry Departments, SDRF authorities and other sectoral officers of Sub-Division Surankote.