IMCT Conducts Field Visit to Flood-Affected Areas in Budgam
BUDGAM: An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) deputed by the Union Government, comprising Col. K.P. Singh (Joint Secretary & Advisor, NDMA), Ramavtar Meena (Director, MoRD), Shachi Jain (Director, Ministry of Jal Shakti, M&A Directorate, CWC Jammu), Navin Kumar Chaurasia (Regional Officer, MoRTH, Jammu), Dr. Vikrant Singh (Joint Director, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare), Aarti Singh (Deputy Director, Ministry of Power), and Mahesh Kumar (Deputy Director, Ministry of Finance), visited Budgam today to assess damages caused by recent flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides.
The team held a review meeting at the New Conference Hall of the DC Office, attended by Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, senior district officers, and engineers from key departments including PWD (R&B), Jal Shakti (PHE), Irrigation & Flood Control, KPDCL, PMGSY, as well as Health, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, FSC, and Revenue departments.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner presented a detailed overview of the flood situation. He highlighted the establishment of a 24×7 control room for real-time monitoring and response and reported that low-lying areas such as B.K. Pora, Bemina, Shalina, Rakh Shalina, Baghi Shakurshah, Seerbagh, Summerbugh, and Zoonipora were severely affected. Infrastructural damages to roads, bridges, irrigation canals, and power supply lines were also noted.
The meeting reviewed ongoing rescue and relief measures, including ration distribution, provision of potable water through tankers, medical aid, and relocation of vulnerable families to designated rescue centers. Challenges such as shortage of inflatable boats, communication breakdowns, Jhelum embankment stabilization issues, mining-related concerns, and backflow from the Flood Spill Channel in Bemina were also discussed.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the way forward, which includes mapping weak spots, embankment stabilization, regular dredging, establishment of de-watering stations at Shalina, installation of early warning systems and rain gauges in upper reaches, and construction of gates on Bemina Nallah and the Flood Spill-over Channel.
Following the meeting, the IMCT, accompanied by the DC and senior officers including MLA Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar, visited flood-affected areas in B.K. Pora. The team inspected protection works, dewatering points, and restoration efforts, interacted with residents to understand immediate needs, and reviewed restoration progress at Panzan Bridge, Bus Adda Chadoora, Shalina area, and other sites.
The IMCT directed that department-wise damage details be compiled for submission to the Government of India. The DC informed the team that Budgam administration has already initiated both short-term restoration measures and long-term resilience planning.
Appreciating the district administration’s efforts, the IMCT stated that its assessment report would be submitted to the Government of India to ensure immediate relief and long-term resilience planning for Budgam district.
