IMCT assesses impact of flood across Shopian distt, review relief & rehab measures

Shopian: The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) deputed by the Union Government Monday held a review meeting to assess the damages caused by recent floods and incessant rainfall across district Shopian as well as relief and rehabilitation measures carried out by district administration.
Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Shishir Gupta, presented a detailed assessment of damages suffered in Shopian district before the IMCT members which included senior officers from NDMA, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, MoRTH, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Power and Finance.
During the meeting, DC Shopian gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation covering the disaster preparedness framework. He informed the team that Shopian, spread over seven tehsils, although comparatively less vulnerable to floods than other districts, has suffered damages to public infrastructure including Roads, Bridges, Water Supply Schemes, Power assets and standing crops and houses of lower riparian villages in Zainapora sub division.
DC Shopian also briefed on immediate restoration of services which were disrupted during floods and relief and rescue measures carried out in the district.
DC Shopian informed the IMCT that in Shopian district, 2 out of 6 major 33 KV lines,16 feeders,13 transformers and 19 electric poles were affected and have been restored; 55 out of 92 drinking water supply schemes were impacted and all have been restored, 25 roads were damaged of which 24 stand restored and 1 is under restoration besides PMGSY road length of about 860 metres was damaged.
The DC also apprised the IMCT that Mughal Road at KM 24 witnessed severe damage due to sliding and efforts are on to keep it open 24*7.
It was further informed that 28 villages in low lying areas covering 4284 hectares with a population of 17,200 were impacted, 4 villages namely Hydergund, Zainapora, Melahura/Wandina and Reshipora were directly hit, 21 shelter sheds were established, 129 families evacuated and 644 persons rescued.
The DC also briefed that 11 residential houses have been damaged while crop and orchard losses are being assessed.
The DC informed the team that Shopian administration has already initiated both short-term restoration measures and long-term resilience planning. He added that protective and restoration works like crate bunds, embankments and flood protection measures have been initiated at Hydergund, Zainapora, Safanagri and other vulnerable spots.
Addressing the officers, the IMCT directed for department-wise damage details be compiled for submission to GOI and assured that recommendations will be included in their report to enable immediate relief as well as long-term resilience planning for Shopian district.