In response to the recent land subsidence in Ramban district, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, spearheaded a high-level meeting today to assess and bolster relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected area.
The gathering, attended by key officials including ACS Jal Shakti, Principal Secretary Home, and ADGP L&O, among others, scrutinized the ongoing measures for aiding the affected populace. Chief Secretary Dulloo directed a comprehensive review of the relief operations, emphasizing the urgency of providing essential amenities such as bedding, food, water, electricity, and medical aid to families relocated to the transit accommodations in Pernote area.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Dulloo urged joint efforts from all stakeholders to promptly alleviate the suffering of those impacted, adhering to governmental norms. He particularly stressed the importance of establishing reliable road links to ensure the seamless flow of supplies and medical assistance to the affected regions. The meeting meticulously evaluated the extent of damage to power, water, and healthcare infrastructure, prompting directives to expedite restoration efforts while making interim arrangements to mitigate the shortfall in services. Rehabilitation of the affected population emerged as a pivotal point of discussion, with the Divisional Commissioner and district officials tasked to formulate a comprehensive plan considering the ground realities. Collaboration with organizations like SDRF and Red Cross was emphasized to provide immediate aid to displaced individuals.
Local authorities provided updates on relocation efforts, disclosing that approximately 90 families, comprising around 413 individuals, have been resettled in safer locales. Furthermore, transit accommodations have been established at multiple sites, including community halls in Pernote village.
Efforts to ensure transportation connectivity, particularly via Mahore and Reasi for Light Motor Vehicles to and from Gool Sub-District, were underscored as essential steps to facilitate movement in the affected area. The meeting concluded with assurances of conducting thorough studies, in collaboration with esteemed institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Geological Survey of India (GSI), to ascertain the causes behind the land subsidence in Ramban. Recommendations for preventive measures are expected to stem from these analyses, reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities from similar occurrences in the future.