JAMMU: J&K CM Omar Abdullah visited flood-hit Rajouri district Thursday to assess the destruction caused by last month’s rain fury. He directed authorities concerned to expedite restoration works, intensify relief and rehabilitation efforts, and adopt long-term mitigation measures to safeguard vulnerable areas.Recognising that the existing relief structure was inadequate to cover reconstruction and rehabilitation costs, the CM assured citizens that the government would enhance the quantum of relief and provide comprehensive rehabilitation assistance to families whose houses were damaged and those rendered landless.
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Families who lost their homes as well as agricultural land will be provided five marlas (around 1,361.2sqft) for rehabilitation, said Omar, directing Rajouri deputy commissioner to identify suitable government land for the purpose. He also ordered the administration to arrange special free ration for such households.Omar said construction along vulnerable riverbanks would not be permitted, noting that rivers reclaim their natural courses during extreme weather events. Noting that the 33kV power transmission line between Rajouri and Poonch had suffered extensive damage, disrupting electricity supply, the CM ordered the power department to complete permanent restoration at the earliest. He also told PWD to recommend disaster-resistant solutions for hilly roads requiring resilient engineering designs suited to mountainous terrain.