Heavy Rains in Jammu

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Government (GMC) Hospital in Jammu and inquired about the condition of the people who were injured during the cloudburst and flash floods in Chisoti village. It is pertinent to mention that a cloudburst had hit the Chisoti village enroute to Machail Mata Temple. As per the official sources more than 60 people had lost their lives and more than 100 were injured. While others are being treated at GMC. The Defence Minister was scheduled to visit the affected village but due to the inclement weather was cancelled. Jammu region is witnessing an unprecedented downpour that is breaking the previous records as this monsoon rain has devastated lives of the people in the entire Jammu region and water bodies are witnessing flow of water at an unprecedented scale. Damage has been caused to various areas in the Jammu city as well. Electric and water supply has been affected causing immense problems to the people. The condition of the roads in the Jammu city and its interiors is pathetic, drains are choked and water is overflowing. It is pertinent to mention that  the roads in Jammu city are already pot-holed and are a source of constant inconvenience to the common people. Driving on the Jammu roads is a challenge as it is difficult to maintain the balance while driving. It would have been appreciable if these roads would  have been repaired before the advent of the rainy season. The inclement weather had  multiplied the woes of the people. There is a need for  urgent work to put the road infrastructure   back on track in Jammu. It must be underlined  that the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is also witnessing landslides and the construction work on the route towards Udhampur must be a cause of concern. Kathua has also witnessing heavy rainfall. It has also been hit by cloudburst and flash floods causing loss of life and property. Jammu Pathankot national highway is going through comprehensive construction work that causes immense problems to the daily commuters on this road. Now imagine the condition of the highway when the flash floods are devastating the areas along it these days. The local administration must take cognizance of this grave situation and avert the catastrophe that can befall due to any negligence. There is a need to announce advance advisories for the students and teachers of schools, colleges and the University of Jammu’s off site campuses that are located in Udhampur and Kathua districts respectively. Lives cannot be put in danger. Now that the Defence Minister has visited the cloudburst affected people this must be enough to sensitize the central government about the emergency condition that has emerged in Jammu due to heavy rainfall. All the emergency services must be put on high alert so that the damages are minimized and human lives saved. This emergency situation must make the policy makers ponder over the fact that the road and drainage infrastructure in Jammu needs to be made up to date. Besides, there is an urgent need to widen the roads. Mere tiling of the pavements and fixing of the tiles on the roads does not create a smart city. It needs a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Roads, lanes and bylanes of Jammu reveal that Jammu needs road infrastructure development.