Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 21: Minister of State for Fisheries, Cooperatives, Finance and Planning, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, conducted two-day extensive tour of tehsil Billawar and took stock of damages caused by recent earthquake & flash floods followed by incessant rains in the region.
Dr Sharma, along with Tehsildar Billawar, AEEs of PHE, PWD and Flood Control, besides staff of Revenue Department visited Komla, Kaalna, Dhannu Parole, Adnota, Prangoli, Najote, Beril, Dhr-amini, Gurha Kalyal and Koug and on the spot inspected the severely affected areas following series of earthquake, flash floods and incessant rain.
Locals said that the houses, crops and property in the area have suffered extensive damage, while massive erosion of cultivable land and house collapses have also been witnessed in many areas. The Dyala Chack- Chllain road- the lifeline of the Billawar, Basohli, Bani which provides a shortest link to Udhampur and further to the Valley has been badly damaged by the rain and flash flood, they added.
The road has been washed away near Prangoli and Daabi and hit by landslides at many places. The Billawar- Katli and Billawar – Machedi road has also been badly affected by the landslides making the road inaccessible. The Billawar- Sukrala road also has also been badly affected by the rains and land sliding.
Dr Sharma had a detailed review of the losses caused by the natural calamity in different areas of the tehsil. He was informed that around 10 acre of cultivable land in village Komla has been washed away in landsliding. At Dhannu Parole village 40 houses of the Gujjar and Bakkerwal were damaged whereas 30 houses of ST Basti in Koug village were damaged in recent rains and floods.
At Beril over 3 kanals of cultivable land has been washed away whereas 26 families has been badly affected by the flash floods.
The Minister was also apprised that Bhini Nallah embankment has been widened by the recent floods and rains posing serious threat to 45 more houses which need to be rehabilitated to permanent safer places.
Dr Manohar Lal Sharma directed the revenue officials to ensure early assessment of the damage caused in these areas so that affected families could be compensated timely. He added that loss of cultivable land in sliding will be compensated with new allotments.
Regarding the damaged houses (partial and fully) in these villages, Dr Sharma said the preliminary Assessment has revealed that over 500 houses has been damaged in the tehsil besides partial damages to another nearly 500 houses.
The Minister assured that Government is keenly observing the situation and matter with assessment reports will be taken up with Chief Minister and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister for appropriate compensation to the affected peoples.
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