Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 21: Continuing with his efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the flood victims and show solidarity with them in this trying situation, Leader of Opposition Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad today visited the relief camps set up by local people in Nishat and Shalimar areas of Srinagar city.
Accompanied by Vikar Rasool, MoS Technical Education, Power & Rural Development and G M Saroori, former Minister & MLA, Mr Azad took a round of flood ravaged areas of Boulevard Road, Nishat, Shalimar and Foreshore Road to assess the extent of the damage and devastation suffered by the people.
Interacting with the people in relief camps at Government Higher Secondary School, Shalimar, Government Middle School Gupt Ganga, Akhoon Mohalla, Lashkar Mohalla, etc in Nishat and Shalimar area, Mr Azad conveyed his sympathies to the people and assured all possible support in helping them overcome the debilitating impact of devastating floods.
While having a round of the area on the Boulevard and Foreshore Road, Mr Azad was anguished to see the magnitude of damage to public infrastructure, private properties like houses, business establishments, etc. He was informed that about three hundred houses have been completely or partially damaged in the area due to the rampage of flood waters.
The affected people, besides seeking their relocation to safer areas, primarily demanded provisioning of tents/temporary shelters, unfettered supply of food material including baby food, restoration of power and drinking water supplies, providing of medical assistance to the needy, etc.
Mr Azad hailed the initiative of the locals to set up relief camps for those whose lives have been shattered by the worst ever floods of J&K State and commended their Samaritan temperament of extending help to suffering humanity.
While appreciating the efforts of all Government agencies like Army, Air Force, NDRF, State administration, Azad said that his continued interface with the flood affected people of the State ever-since the occurrence of this monumental disaster has reinforced his faith in the resilience, fortitude and humanitarian disposition of the people of J&K.
He was all praise for the youth of Kashmir who mounted rescue operations in the face of ravaging flood waters without caring for their own safety.
Pertinent to mention that Mr Azad has toured all the flood affected parts of the State, including Kashmir, Surankote, Poonch, Reasi, Pancheri since the flood fury in the State. He has quietly been organizing relief activities by arranging tonnes of relief material, including doctors and medicines from different States, NGOs, etc.
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