The Rajya Sabha member said the extent of damage in Thathri was far greater than what was visible in social media videos and announced financial assistance for affected families. He also said the focus should now shift from rescue operations to long-term rehabilitation.
Flash flood-affected families in Thathri town of Doda district will receive financial assistance of ₹1 lakh per family from Rajya Sabha MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo‘s Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund, as efforts move from emergency rescue to rehabilitation following widespread destruction caused by the recent flooding. The floods damaged residential areas, public infrastructure, and commercial establishments across the town.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Kichloo spent around four to five hours inspecting the affected areas and said the destruction on the ground was significantly more severe than what had been portrayed in social media videos. He said most online footage showed damage near the main road culverts, while the interior localities revealed extensive devastation. He stated that every ward had been affected, numerous residential houses had suffered extensive damage, and two major drainage channels had been completely washed away.
Kichloo said he was satisfied with the pace of the ongoing rescue and restoration work being carried out by the district administration. He said the Deputy Commissioner of Doda was personally supervising the operations and that heavy machinery from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had been deployed to remove mud, boulders, and debris from the affected areas.
Announcing immediate financial support, the MP said each severely affected family would receive ₹1 lakh from his MPLAD fund to help repair and restore damaged homes. He added that the Deputy Commissioner had directed officials to immediately prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the reconstruction of the two destroyed drains so that funds could be sanctioned and restoration work could begin on a priority basis.
Responding to concerns raised by residents over the absence of ministers and the lack of a major relief announcement by the Jammu and Kashmir government, Kichloo said he had spoken with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on the day the flash flood struck. He said the Chief Minister had treated the matter seriously and directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, and the Deputy Commissioner, Doda, to immediately launch rescue and relief operations.
Kichloo said that with rescue operations now largely under control, the priority should be the comprehensive rehabilitation of the affected population and the restoration of damaged infrastructure. He said he would brief the Chief Minister later in the day about the ground situation and the proposed infrastructure projects and would urge him, or another minister, to visit Thathri to review rehabilitation measures and oversee the next phase of recovery.
The Chenab Times News Desk