As flood risks mount due to continuing rainfall, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have identified 654 vulnerable villages housing nearly 7.22 lakh people in the Kashmir Valley.
Reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said protecting lives and restoring essential services remain the government’s top priorities.
As a precautionary measure, 1,505 people from vulnerable areas have already been shifted to designated rescue centres, while evacuation plans remain in place for other vulnerable locations.
Officials informed that 744 rescue centres, 108 SDRF boats, 25 Army boats, 98 satellite phones, 102 identified helipads and adequate emergency response funds have been kept ready to strengthen rescue and relief operations. District Emergency Operations Centres and the State Emergency Operations Centre are functioning round the clock to monitor the situation and coordinate response measures.
The Chief Minister reviewed the restoration works, relief measures and overall flood preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir that have arisen due to incessant rains and flash floods.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Health and Education Sakeena Itoo, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Administrative Secretaries, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and other senior officers.
Regarding flood preparedness in Jammu, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, informed that comprehensive preparedness measures have been put in place across the Jammu Division to deal with adverse weather conditions and flash floods.
He also informed that a total of 363 vulnerable locations have been identified, 142 mock drills conducted, and 138 functional helipads earmarked for emergency operations. Adequate SDRF funds, trained volunteers, and emergency response equipment have also been kept in readiness.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to maintain a high state of preparedness to effectively deal with flood-like situations arising from erratic weather patterns.
He emphasised the importance of adopting long-term flood mitigation measures, noting that recurring flood-like events necessitate sustained planning and resilient infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected districts of Poonch and Rajouri. He directed the district administrations to ensure that all relief camps are adequately equipped with essential food, drinking water and medical facilities for the affected population.
He directed the concerned officers to intensify efforts for the restoration of electricity supply in the worst-affected districts of Poonch and Rajouri, observing that the restoration of drinking water supply schemes is largely dependent on the timely restoration of power. He instructed the Power Development Department to complete the restoration works within the stipulated timeline and ensure that any remaining issues are resolved without delay so that essential public services, particularly water supply, are fully restored at the earliest.