Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu & Kashmir government told the Legislative Assembly on Monday that it has assessed the damage from July’s flash floods and landslides in Rajouri and disbursed Rs 3.22 crore in relief. Permanent restoration of infrastructure is still at the proposal and tender stage.
Replying to a starred question by Rajouri MLA Iftikhar Ahmed, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the Disaster Management portfolio, said the district administration received 149 family-wise relief cases. Rs 40.61 lakh was disbursed under SDRF norms. A further Rs 2.81 crore, released to the district from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, was distributed among affected families.
On roads, a preliminary assessment led to a proposal for permanent restoration of 403 roads and bridges at Rs 185 crore. On power, damage of Rs 27.99 crore was assessed across Rajouri district, of which Rs 9.39 crore was in Rajouri constituency. Supply on the 132 KV Rajouri-Draba line was restored temporarily with an ERS tower, and tendering for permanent restoration is under way. The reply said no SDRF/NRDF funds have been released for that line’s damage.
Of the Rs 1.25 crore received under SDRF for temporary power restoration in the district, Rajouri constituency got Rs 57.60 lakh, Thannamandi Rs 43.40 lakh, Budhal Rs 10.05 lakh, Nowshera Rs 7.60 lakh and Sunderbani Rs 6.35 lakh.
The Agriculture Department assessed 15% damage on 416 hectares of maize and 65% on 101.50 hectares of paddy. Jal Shakti details put temporary restoration of water supply schemes at Rs 86.83 lakh. Irrigation and flood-control damage from July 18–25 needs Rs 3.67 crore for temporary and Rs 123.55 crore for permanent restoration.
The government said all damaged roads, bridges, water and power schemes were temporarily restored within a month, and detailed project reports for permanent work are under consideration. Flood-prone power infrastructure will be strengthened and realigned, with spares kept ready. On enhancing SDRF compensation, it said the norms fall under the Union Home Ministry.
