Azad takes stock of flood-situation in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 21 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today rushed here to assess the flood situation in Kashmir following incessant rains during the past few days.

Soon on his arrival, Mr Azad visited several flood-hit areas and took stock of the arrangements made by the divisional administration for the affected people.

He visited Lasjan, Bye-pass, Nowgam, Sonawar, Batmaloo, Rainawari, Nowhatta and other inundated areas.

The Chief Minister then chaired a high-level meeting at the Police Control Room here this morning to review the measures taken to cope up with the flood situation.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Basharat Ahmed Dhar informed the meeting about the steps taken to provide immediate relief to the affected people.

He said round-the-clock flood control rooms have been set up in all district headquarters in the valley while boats and sand bags have been made available in sufficient number in all affected areas.

Mr Dhar said people residing in low lying areas of Kashmir have been shifted to safer places and provided with free ration.

The Chief Minister directed the authorities to immediately start de-watering in low lying areas.

Mr Azad said he had spoken to defence authorities in Delhi and they assured him of all assistance in transporting essential commodities to the Kashmir valley, which has remained cut off from the rest of the country via the land route for several days.

He directed the officials to ensure adequate supply of potable drinking water, food grains, LPG and kerosene oil to the people in the flood affected areas of the valley.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the divisional administration in tackling the situation.

UNI