DC Poonch reviews restoration works in flash flood-hit Surankote, directs speedy relief and rehabilitation
Blazing Tales News Service
POONCH, JULY 28: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, who is also the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), on Tuesday 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 meeting reviewed the status of damage assessment, restoration of public infrastructure, relief distribution and rehabilitation of the affected population. The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to expedite relief measures and ensure timely assistance to affected families.
A detailed assessment of fully and partially damaged residential houses was also reviewed. The DC took stock of compensation cases, verification of beneficiaries and relief provided so far, directing officers to identify all genuine cases promptly and ensure transparent, fair and time-bound disbursement of assistance.
Reviewing 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, the DC instructed the concerned departments to work in close coordination and restore all essential services at the earliest, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.
Sector-wise reviews were also conducted to assess losses suffered by the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry sectors. The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments to complete the assessment of damage to agricultural land, standing crops, orchards and livestock on priority and extend all admissible relief to affected farmers and livestock owners as per prescribed norms.
The DC instructed the Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle, to maintain continuous monitoring of flood-prone and vulnerable areas and ensure effective implementation of relief and rehabilitation measures, with assistance reaching only genuine and eligible beneficiaries after proper verification.
Expressing serious concern over illegal mining, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments and enforcement agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance approach. He ordered registration of FIRs against violators, immediate seizure of vehicles involved in illegal mining and strict legal action 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 to ensure uninterrupted agricultural activities and timely irrigation for farmers.
The DC also directed the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (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.
