AUG 18: Union Minister Satish Sharma today visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kathua district to take stock of the situation and express solidarity with the affected residents. During his visit, the Minister met the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident and also interacted with the injured receiving treatment at the local hospital.
He conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and assured the victims that all possible assistance would be provided to ensure their swift recovery and rehabilitation. “The Government is completely committed to supporting the victims in this difficult time and no effort will be spared in providing relief and medical care,” the Minister stated.
Sharma reviewed the ongoing relief operations and issued directions to the district administration to speed up the restoration of essential services. He stressed the importance of proactive and coordinated efforts by all concerned departments to mitigate the suffering of the people.
The Minister also held a detailed discussion with supervisory and rescue officials about the precautionary measures required in vulnerable areas to prevent similar incidents in the future. He underlined the need for a comprehensive safety plan that includes early warning systems, regular monitoring of high-risk zones and proper training of local response teams.
While interacting with the affected community members, the Minister assured that long-term rehabilitation measures will also be implemented to rebuild damaged infrastructure and provide adequate compensation to those who have suffered loss of life and property.
In addition, Satish Sharma appealed to the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the authorities during emergencies. He emphasised that increasing awareness about precautionary measures and strengthening disaster preparedness at the grassroots level is crucial for minimising the impact of natural calamities in the region.
