Cabinet Secy reviews J-K flood situation

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, today took stock of the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir and reviewed the arrangements made or required to be made to deal with the crisis.

The Cabinet Secretary reviewed the preparatory arrangements made to handle the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir and issued necessary directions to all departments of the central government to provide all possible assistance to tide over the crisis.

Home Ministry officials said the Jammu and Kashmir flood rescue operation has been named as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, who participated the NCMC meeting through video-conferencing, gave a brief account of the ground situation indicating that river Jhelum is flowing above danger mark at certain places and as a result, flood alert has been issued by the state government.

He said the state government has geared up to deal with the situation and all the steps have been taken to safeguard life and property from the flood waters.

The Chief Secretary said adequate sand bags and river bank reinforcement material have been gathered and as a precautionary measure, adequate quantities of rice, potable water and medical supplies are also being stocked at various locations, an official release said.

There is no shortage of various types of fuel as there is a minimum stock level of all varieties of fuel for 10 days, he told the NCMC.

The National Highway 1-A between Jammu and Srinagar which is blocked due to landslide is likely to be cleared for vehicular traffic today itself.

On the request of the state government, the National Disaster Response Force is dispatching eight teams (approx 400 personnel) along with rescue boats and water pumps to Srinagar to take part in relief operations.

The NCMC meeting was attended by the secretaries and other senior officers of the concerned Ministries and Departments of the central government.