Srinagar: CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives and damage caused by flash floods and cloudbursts triggered by torrential overnight rains in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
In a statement, Tarigami conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with those affected by the calamity.
Referring to the damage reported from Surankote, Rajouri town, Manjakote and adjoining areas, he said the loss of lives, destruction of houses, damage to public infrastructure and reports of missing persons reflected the scale of the disaster. He also lauded rescue personnel, local volunteers and officials engaged in rescue and relief operations despite difficult weather conditions and damaged road connectivity.
Tarigami said the border districts had repeatedly borne the brunt of natural disasters and called for greater focus on disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure. He stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems, improve drainage networks, protect riverbanks and implement scientific flood mitigation measures in vulnerable areas.
He urged the administration to accord top priority to rescue and search operations and ensure that all available resources were deployed until every missing person was traced and affected families received timely assistance.
The CPI(M) leader demanded adequate ex gratia compensation for the families of those who died, free medical treatment for the injured, and a special rehabilitation package for families whose houses, shops, agricultural land and other sources of livelihood had been damaged. He also sought compensation for losses to livestock, standing crops and orchards, besides the provision of temporary shelter, food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to displaced families.
Tarigami also called on the Union Territory administration and the Central government to extend all necessary support for relief, rehabilitation and long-term reconstruction in the affected areas.
