Jammu and Kashmir government has evacuated 221 families to safer places due to heavy rains causing soil erosion and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Budgam district of the state. State Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today told the Assembly that due to the continuous downpour various areas of Budgam have been affected by way of land erosion and landslides and 221 families have been shifted to safer areas.
Replying to apprehensions expressed by NC member Mian Altaf Ahmed about flood threat looming large, due to landslides in Budgam, Hanjura said the district administration has taken immediate steps to evacuate the affected families where the residential houses were affected or likely to be affected by the land erosion and landslides to avoid any loss of life.
He said the families have been lodged in tents provided by the district administration and in some cases the affected families were shifted to nearby schools and other government buildings. The minister said 221 families of Chillan Chotinar, Tilsara, Charar-e-Sharief, Nilnag Nagam, Watkloo, Ladden, Bringan, Nego, Hangoo Suresyar, Kumar Mohalla Nagam, Freswar Khansahib, Shalinar Khansahib, Kristwar Chadoora, Suresyar and Branwar villages evacuated.
Out of these, 99 families have been provided with tents, 58 families have been shifted to government buildings and 64 families have been shifted to their relatives, he said.
The minister said 10 kg rice has been provided to the each affected family, besides it has also been ensured that all basic amenities are provided to them.
He said the district administration, under the supervision of the deputy commissioner, is taking stock of the situation. He said so far no loss of life has taken place.
The minister said that officials are monitoring the situation closely and all possible help is being rendered to the affected families.
Moreover, all the vulnerable areas are being monitored so that there is no loss of life and in case of any eventuality, immediate rescue operation shall be undertaken, he said.
He said the matter has also been taken up with the Geology and Mining Department so as to obtain expert advice on stabilising the eroding or sliding land and to provide a permanent lasting solution to the problems.
