Rivers in spate

Jammu region has witnessed heavy rains in recent days and the rivers and nullahs are in spate. Monsoon rains usually cause much damage to roads, bridges, culverts, crops, mud houses and human lives in low lying areas. This is natural calamity and human beings are helpless in averting it. But what the Government is expected to do is to take stock of situation without loss of a single hour and formulate relief packages for the affected people. Entire Jammu region is witnessing flash floods and rising waters in the nullahs that have washed crops and houses. The Divisional and District authorities have come into action and senior civilian officers have visited the affected areas. All that we would emphasize is that immediate relief should be provided to the affected families and compensation for the loss of life, house, crops or cattle should be made good. First instance assessment of loss has to be made by the Revenue officials and the authorities should facilitate immediate release of funds. At the same time, it is important that broken bunds and bridges or culverts should be repaired on war footing and traffic wherever it is obstructed should resume. Medical Department should immediately deploy staff to prevent spread of epidemic that usually follows water logging and pure drinking water has to be supplied to marooned villagers. The relief party has lot of things to do and without delay.