Chief Minister visits waterlogged areas in Srinagar, takes on spot appraisal

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SRINAGAR: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today visited various areas in the city to personally inspect the status of dewatering and administration’s response in dealing with the flood like situation that arose due to continued rains and snow in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley during the past few days.

The Chief Minister visited Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Maharaja Bazar, Gogji Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Humhama, Rajbagh and other areas. She directed deployment of more pumps in areas like Humhama, Gogji Bagh to drain out excess water at the earliest.

Mehbooba Mufti also visited some spots at river Jhelum, flood channels at Ram Bagh and Barzulla to take stock of the water levels. She directed the Flood Control Department to patrol constantly the banks and breach spots on river Jhelum and other streams. She said it is a matter of satisfaction that water level in Jhelum and other streams has started receding and administration is working round the clock to bring things to normal and extend relief to people.

Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Bukhari and Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.

The Chief Minister, who had herself been monitoring the situation continuously, had yesterday directed the administration to gear up to meet any eventuality in view of the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi this morning spoke to the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and offered all help from the Centre in dealing with the situation which arose due to incessant rains and flashfloods in Kashmir Valley resulting into a flood-like situation.

The Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister that the Centre would be ready to help the State administration in its relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for the gesture. She apprised him about the losses suffered by the infrastructure, roads and horticulture sectors due to these unseasonal rains and snow.

Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh also spoke to the Chief Minister and pledged support from the Centre to the J&K Government in meeting the challenges of such an inclement weather.