Jammu: Reiterating that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands firmly with the flood hit people of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday assured that Centre would provide prompt relief, financial assistance, and technical support to facilitate recovery and reconstruction, and will ensure the safety and well-being of the sufferers.
The Union Home Minister arrived in Jammu on late Sunday evening to assess the damaged caused by the floods in the region.
After conducting a whirlwind tour of the flood affected areas the Union Home Minister, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) chaired a high level meeting on relief measures at Raj Bhavan here.
“Chaired a meeting to review the recent flood situation in Jammu. Instructed the water supply and health departments to exert full might in fulfilling the healthcare needs that may emerge after the floods. The Modi government will continue to provide swift relief and financial and technological support,” Shah wrote on X.
The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Sunil Sharma and senior civil, police, paramilitary and army officers, among others, officials said.
They said Home Minister Shah accompanied by LG Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah and Sharma visited the Tawi Bridge near the Bikram Chowk and Manguchak near the Jammu Airport and took a first-hand account of the damage caused by the floods.
In the morning the Home Minister, according to the officials, conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas across the Jammu region.
The survey covered severely affected areas, including Katra, the base camp for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Kishtwar, where a catastrophic cloudburst on August 14 triggered flash floods in Chashoti village, claiming 65 lives, mostly pilgrims, and injuring over 100 others.
The aerial assessment provided the Home Minister with a firsthand view of the widespread destruction caused by record rainfall, landslides, and flash floods, particularly in Kishtwar, Kathua, Reasi, and Ramban districts, the officials said.
During the meeting the Union Home Minister expressed grief over the loss of lives in the recent incidents. “In this hour of crisis, from the very first day, PM Modi has spoken to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of the UT and the Government of India has put in all its strength in the rescue efforts,” he said, adding, “The Union Territory and all agencies together have significantly reduced potential damage, and through coordinated efforts, we have successfully saved many lives. In this hour of crisis, the Government of India is standing by the side of J&K people.”
