Asks for immediate repair of breached flood-protection works, expeditious damage assessment
DH NEWS SERVICE
MENDHAR, Jul 23
Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting at Mendhar to assess the progress of relief, restoration and rehabilitation works in flood-affected areas of the subdivision. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the district administration and heads of various line departments, who briefed the Minister on the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy after the recent floods.
During the meeting, officials presented a detailed assessment of the damage caused to public infrastructure, including roads, irrigation facilities and other essential public assets. They also informed the Minister about the status of relief operations, restoration of basic services and the progress made in assessing losses suffered by the affected population. The officers assured the Minister that restoration work was underway at multiple locations and that efforts were being made to minimise hardship for the affected families.
Reviewing the situation, Javed Rana directed all departments to accelerate restoration activities and ensure that essential public services are fully restored at the earliest. He stressed the need for close coordination among all departments to facilitate speedy rehabilitation and the early return of normal life in the flood-hit areas. He said that prompt and efficient action by the administration was essential to reduce the difficulties faced by residents and restore confidence among the affected communities.
The Minister instructed the district administration to receive and thoroughly scrutinise all documents submitted by flood victims seeking relief, compensation and rehabilitation assistance. He emphasised that every genuine claim should be processed without unnecessary delay and in accordance with the prescribed government norms. He directed officials to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in the assessment process so that deserving beneficiaries receive timely financial assistance.
Interacting with local residents affected by the floods, Rana appealed to them to cooperate fully with the administration during the damage assessment process. He assured them that the government was committed to examining every eligible case with sympathy and would extend all possible assistance to help families recover from the disaster.
He said that the administration would leave no genuine victim without support and would ensure that relief measures reached those most in need.
The Minister also reviewed the condition of vulnerable flood-prone locations and directed the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to immediately undertake restoration of breaches at various points along the Mankote Nallah and other affected sites. He instructed the department to prepare Detailed Project Reports for all locations that suffered damage during the floods. The reports, he said, should include both temporary restoration measures for immediate relief and permanent engineering solutions aimed at strengthening flood protection infrastructure and reducing the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Rana observed that long-term planning and scientific flood management were essential to protect lives, property and public infrastructure from recurring natural disasters. He asked the concerned departments to prioritise durable flood mitigation measures while ensuring that emergency restoration works are completed without delay.
The Minister further directed the district administration and all line departments to maintain constant coordination and work collectively to restore all essential services, including water supply and other public utilities. He instructed officers to expedite the assessment of damages across affected villages and ensure that relief materials, compensation and rehabilitation support reach every eligible household promptly.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to the welfare of disaster-affected families, Rana said the administration would continue to closely monitor the situation and take every possible step to ensure effective rehabilitation, improved disaster preparedness and stronger infrastructure to minimise the impact of future floods in the region.
