Srinagar/Jammu, July 19: Political leaders of Jammu & Kashmir on Wednesday expressed grief and sorrow on the loss of number of lives as two houses caved in after heavy downpour in Kathua district’s Bani area. They urged the administration to intensify the rescue operations and provide relief to the affected families.
In a statement issued here, Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic trail of deaths as two houses caved in Bani area killing five members of two families and injuring several others.
The duo demanded immediate relief for the affected families besides medical facilities to the injured. “We pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed souls. The loss to the bereaved families is colossal,” they said while asking the near and dear ones to remain strong at this hour of grief to bear with the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, Rattan Lal Gupta provincial president NC, Jammu, also condoled the deaths of five members of two families which got stuck after their houses perished due to heavy rains.
Demanding adequate relief and medical aid for those who received injuries in the tragedy, he said that the government should act in a swift manner to save those who got injuries and evacuate them to a safe place as more rains are expected in coming days.
Besides, other senior NC leaders also expressed sympathies with the bereaved families as the loss incurred was gigantic. They said that the government should have issued timely warnings about the heavy rains so that people could have gone to safer areas.
The NC has also expressed concern about the damage inflicted to civic infrastructure in the entire region, especially the damages to the bridge near Dyala Chak leading to NH44 blockage.
Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in house collapse and landslides triggered by incessant rains in the Bani area of Kathua district.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Azad in a condolence statement said, “I am deeply pained and saddened at the loss of precious lives in house collapse and landslides in Bani area of Kathua district. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and the safety of everyone in the situation.”
Urging the administration to intervene by deputing disaster management teams and officials to the spot, Azad also asked his party leadership and workers to help the victims in this hour of need. “At this hour of grief, I urge DPAP leadership and party workers to immediately intervene and provide timely help to the victims. The administration should depute disaster management teams and officials to the spot and launch rescue and relief operations in the area,” he said.
The DPAP chairman sought medical intervention and assistance for the injured and prayed for their immediate recovery. Stressing on remaining alert in the wake of flash floods and landslides, the former chief minister said he is concerned about the families living in far-flung areas of Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, and Kathua where the situation is grim due to incessant rains which have triggered landslides and disconnected poor people in terms of road blockades and communication disruption.
“Since the major rivers including Tawi, Chenab, Basanter, Devak, and Ujj are flowing above the danger mark, the administration should remain alert to the emerging situation,” Azad cautioned. He sought compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured.
JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla on Wednesday expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in house collapse and landslides triggered by incessant rains in the Bani area of Kathua district.
“Death of several people due to excessive rain is sad and painful,” Bhalla said in his condolence message. He inquired about the situation in the Kathua district caused by heavy downpours and demanded immediate relief operations and all efforts should be made to evacuate the people of the rain-hit areas to safety due to inclement weather.
“SDRF and NDRF teams should be tasked to rescue people. Adequate compensation should be given to the victims, and all possible help should be given to compensate for the loss of life and property,” he said in a statement.
The Congress leader urged the Centre to make available an additional relief amount from the PM CARES Fund for J&K. “Our thoughts are with those affected during this difficult time,” he added.
Bhalla prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and the safety of everyone in the situation. He asked the party leadership and workers to help the victims in this hour of need.
Stressing on remaining alert in the wake of flash floods and landslides, Bhalla said he is concerned about the families living in far-flung areas where the situation is grim due to incessant rains which have triggered landslides and disconnected poor people in terms of road blockades and communication disruption.
He also expressed concern over Tawi, Chenab, Basanter, Devak, and Ujj flowing above the danger mark. He demanded administration to remain alert to the emerging situation.
