J-K govt to work on comprehensive flood protection plan: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the state government would work out a comprehensive flood protection programme along with the Centre to tame all major rivers and provide relief to people from repeated devastation caused due to floods.
"The state government would work out a comprehensive flood protection programme with the Centre to tame all major rivers including Jhelum, Chenab, Ujh and Tawi to provide relief to people from repeated devastation," Omar said while talking to flood-affected people of Jammu region.
The Chief Minister was talking to people of Chang Ghatti in Kathua, Barota in Samba, Makwal in Jammu, Jordian and Bakore in Akhnoor, Majalta in Udhampur during his visit to these and other areas in the districts of Kathua, Udhampur, Samba and Jammu to receive first hand reports of damages and also undertook an aerial survey of flood-hit areas.

Omar said these rivers are causing great damage to crops, life and property.
"There is a need to formulate a well-drafted holistic plan to tame these rivers and ensure protection from floods," he said maintaining that the state government would seek liberal central assistance in its implementation.
The Chief Minister assured people of all help from the state government and said he has already directed the administration to formulate damage assessment reports and undertake rescue, relief and rehabilitation of affected families.
Later, Omar told reporters that preliminary assessment of loss due to floods was to the tune of Rs 190 crore and a meeting of the state disaster management committee would be called in Srinagar to review it.

Minister for PHE and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma and Minister of State for Revenue, Ajaz Ahmad Khan accompanied the Chief Minister. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand also joined the Chief Minister in Akhnoor area.