PM Modi expresses sorrow over loss of life, property in natural disasters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property in view of the natural disasters, including floods, landslides, caused by the heavy rains and cloudbursts in different parts of the country.

“In this monsoon season, natural disasters are testing the country. During the last few weeks, we have witnessed grave devastation caused by floods and landslides. At places, homes were destroyed; at others, fields were submerged; families were ruined en masse, elsewhere, bridges were swept away amid the strong flow of water; roads were washed away; people’s lives were enmeshed in danger,” he said during his 125th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ — a monthly radio programme by the Prime Minister

Advertisement

These incidents, he said, have saddened every Indian.

“The pain of the families who lost their loved ones is our shared pain. Wherever the crisis struck, our NDRF-SDRF personnel, other security forces, and everyone toiled day and night to save the people there,” the Prime Minister added.

Talking about how modern technology was being used in the rescue work, he said that with the help of myriad modern resources such as thermal cameras, life detectors, sniffer dogs, and drone surveillance, a lot of efforts were undertaken to lend speed to the relief work.

During this time, relief material was delivered by helicopters, and the injured were airlifted.

In the moment of disaster, he said, the army came forward to help.

”Local people, social workers, doctors, and the administration, everyone made every possible effort in this hour of crisis. I express heartfelt gratitude to every citizen who has kept humanity above everything else during this testing time,” he said.

Talking about Jammu and Kashmir, he said, amidst this devastation of floods and rains, Jammu and Kashmir has also attained two very special achievements.

“Not many people noticed them, but when you come to know about those achievements, you will be extremely delighted. A record number of people gathered in a stadium in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Pulwama’s first-ever day-night cricket match was played here.

“Earlier this was impossible, but now my country is transforming,” the Prime Minister added.

This match, he said, was a part of the ‘Royal Premier League’, in which different teams of Jammu and Kashmir are playing.

“Thousands of enthusiasts, especially youth, enjoying cricket at night in Pulwama, it was truly a sight to behold,” he added.

The second event that caught attention was the first Khelo India Water Sports festival in the country, and that too was held at Dal Lake in Srinagar.

“Truly, what a special place it is to organise such a festival. Its objective is to make water sports more popular in Jammu and Kashmir,” PM Modi said during his monthly radio programme.

More than 800 athletes from all over India participated in it. Women athletes were also not far behind; their participation was almost at par with men.

“I would like to congratulate all the players who participated in it. Special congratulations to Madhya Pradesh, which won the maximum number of medals, followed by Haryana and Odisha. I deeply appreciate the warmth and hospitality of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the people there,” he said.