New Delhi, Apr 30: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with Administrative Secretaries, divisional, district and police administration of J&K to take stock of damages caused and measures taken after the incessant rains and subsequent flood-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
From the Deputy Commissioners (DCs), the CS took stock of the situation in their respective jurisdictions and the damages caused to both private and public infrastructure.
He inquired about the status of public services like power, drinking water, roads, health, food grains distribution, sanitation, dewatering, and other utilities being provided through different departments.
Dulloo asked the divisional and district administration to be proactive during such situations.
He asked the DCs to personally visit the affected spots and ensure that the public grievances were resolved instantly.
The chief secretary took note of the restoration of electricity, water supply, and road connectivity in all the areas.
He asked for restoring all such public amenities within the shortest possible time.
Dulloo asked all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to ensure that assessment is done swiftly and relief measures are followed strictly as per set norms.
He also asked about the loss of lives and livestock, if any, in the areas reporting flash floods or landslides.
The chief secretary called for reaching out to such families and providing them immediate succour as per government rules.
He instructed assessing the damages caused to roads, bridges, distribution transformers, electric poles, water supply schemes, and other vital public installations.
Dulloo also instructed for provisional restoration of the same at the earliest. He emphasised strengthening the overall preparedness of the administration to ideally deal with natural calamities like these in future.
The chief secretary asked for carrying out mock drills, and dry runs to enhance the capacity and bring efficiency in the mitigation measures taken under such circumstances.
The divisional and district administration apprised the chief secretary of the relief measures being taken up in their areas.
It was informed that except for a few areas in north Kashmir, no major damage has been reported anywhere in Kashmir.
It was also informed that a few villages in Ramban and Mandi Poonch had been affected badly.
It was reiterated that the local administration should initiate instant relief measures for the people directly affected by it.
It was also disclosed that dozens of relief camps have already been established across the districts to give shelter to those leaving their houses for safety.
The Deputy Commissioners also gave out that a preliminary assessment of the damage caused to infrastructure was being prepared and the loss of lives or livestock was also being ascertained from the ground.
It was revealed that the power and water supply was majorly restored except for some remote areas, which was going to be restored as soon as possible.
Regarding other amenities like road connectivity and distribution of ration, it was informed that the slips on almost all the major roads had been cleared off and the ration for April had already been distributed.
It was also revealed that the administration was in full control of the situation as the waters had started receding in all the rivers and streams of J&K with the cessation of rain.
Besides, it was added that the administration is focusing on bringing respite to the affected with the restoration of basic services. The administration is also geared up to deal with any arising eventuality in future, as was apprised in the meeting.