No need to panic: Mufti

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 30

Assuring the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the preparedness to deal with any kind of situation arising from the increasing water level in the Jhelum, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said there was no need to panic.

“While the water level is still above the danger mark, the last few hours have indicated that there is certain receding in the level,” he told the Legislative Assembly here this afternoon.

The Chief Minister flew from New Delhi to Srinagar yesterday to personally monitor the situation on the ground. He reached Jammu this afternoon and informed the House about the situation.

He said the water level was still above the danger mark at Sangam in south Kashmir and Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, but the government was fully prepared. He maintained that the administration had been doing a commendable job.

Mufti said, “The government has focused on dewatering, connectivity and a detailed evacuation plan. Boats have been deployed in all parts of the Valley and shelters have been made to receive flood-affected people. If the need arises, we have an adequate number of sand bags available and those are being used in critical embankments to avoid any breach.”

To meet any kind of situation, the Chief Minister released Rs 25 crore in favour of the Kashmir Divisional Commissioner and Rs 10 crore in favour of the Jammu Divisional Commissioner under the state disaster respond fund for immediate rescue and relief operations.