MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): In the view of heavy rainfalls, an important meeting was held late at night in the control room of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
During the meeting, PM AJK and the SDMA team decided to take immediate safety measures given possible flash floods, landslides, and any water aggression by India.
The meeting issued instructions to shift the populations living within 35 feet of rivers to safe places by imposing Section 144, pay immediate compensation to the victims, and make the monitoring system more effective.
The Prime Minister directed the district administration to announce compensation checks to all the victims in the next 24 hours and ensure foolproof security and health safety arrangements at all sensitive places, including the capital.
A detailed review of the major landslide incident that occurred yesterday was also taken during the meeting. On August 14, a severe landslide in Union Council Sarli Sacha, Kotla constituency, affected about 20 houses, while 4 houses were destroyed.
Several people were buried under the debris, and on which information, Rescue 1122 teams immediately left from Muzaffarabad and Patka. Due to the road closure, the officials had to travel 2 hours on foot, and the operation, which started at midnight, continued for more than 12 hours.
After continuous efforts, the bodies of all the missing persons, numbering 6, were recovered from the debris. The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, while appreciating the performance of Rescue 1122, said that the safety of the people is the top priority of the government.
Emergency departments should remain active at all times, and no negligence or negligence will be tolerated.
Additionally, PM Anwarul Huq also ordered immediate repair of damage to electricity and infrastructure in Neelum, Jhelum Valley, and Bagh, strict action against dangerous activities (selfies, wood-picking) on the banks of rivers, and immediate assistance to tourists and isolated populations.
