Diplomat Correspondent
Udhampur,DD, In view of the recent unprecedented rainfall, floods, and landslides that have wreaked havoc across several villages in District Udhampur, Ranbir Singh Pathania, MLA Udhampur East, undertook a tour of the affected areas to assess the situation and guide relief efforts. His visit to villages including Kamdala, Babey, Sundla, Manwal, Cheani, and SK Ber, was aimed at both reviewing the immediate response measures and outlining a long-term vision for disaster management and water conservation. Accompanied by Tehsildar Majalta, SHO Majalta, and local officials, Pathania emphasized that managing floods and promoting rainwater harvesting are indispensable tools to ensure the safety, health, and sustainability of communities vulnerable to such natural calamities.
During the visit, Pathania visited Sundla, one of the worst-hit areas, where a massive landslide resulted in the destruction of approximately 20 homes and forced the evacuation of another 50 households as a precautionary measure. He closely reviewed the ongoing relief measures, including arrangements for shelter, potable water, sanitation facilities, and medical care. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure that every affected family receives adequate support in terms of tents, ration supplies, clean drinking water, bio-toilets, and round-the-clock medical assistance to prevent the outbreak of diseases in the aftermath of the disaster. He further instructed officials to remain vigilant in other vulnerable locations such as Kamdala and Mottu and ensure that timely assistance is provided to avoid further hardships.
While addressing the need for restoring essential services, Pathania highlighted the urgency of restoring roads and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, as these are critical to normalizing life in the disaster-hit areas. He called for an organized response from line departments to repair damaged infrastructure and facilitate relief efforts, ensuring that medical camps are set up promptly to safeguard the health of affected residents. Recognizing that disaster preparedness cannot be limited to short-term measures alone, he emphasized that long-term strategies are essential to build resilience against future floods and landslides.
Water management emerged as one of the central themes during his interactions with officials and local residents. Pathania pointed out that an efficient and sustainable water management system is crucial not only for disaster mitigation but also for the overall well-being of the communities. He cited the ancient civilization of Dholavira in Gujarat’s Kutch desert, where rainwater harvesting techniques were practiced over four thousand years ago, as a successful example of how communities can adapt to challenging environmental conditions. Drawing from this historical reference, he urged the adoption of modern rainwater harvesting methods as a vital strategy to conserve water and reduce the risks associated with floods and water scarcity. He questioned why such effective methods from the past cannot be revived and adapted to the present, reinforcing the need for both government and community involvement in water conservation initiatives.
Pathania further stressed that disaster management must be proactive, not reactive. Preparedness, early warning systems, community awareness, and efficient coordination among government departments are essential for minimizing the devastating effects of floods. He called for continuous monitoring of landslide-prone areas and timely interventions to ensure the safety of lives and property. His remarks underscored that swift and coordinated relief efforts, along with sustainable planning, are the keys to building safer and more resilient communities.
The MLA’s visit concluded with a strong message that disaster management and water conservation are intertwined priorities that demand attention and collective action. He reiterated that restoring essential services such as water supply, electricity, and medical support must go hand-in-hand with long-term planning for rainwater harvesting and environmental preservation. Alongside local leaders including Mohan Lal Sharma, Mohinder Sharma, Raman Khajuria, Ved Sharma, Kuldeep Singh, Raman Khajuria, Sunit Singh, Jagjeet, Romesh Gupta, Pritam Lal, Subash, Rajinder Sharma, Shiv Ram, and Anil Sharma, and a host of community members, Pathania assured that the government remains committed to assisting the affected families and taking all necessary steps to safeguard their welfare.
In conclusion, Pathania called upon all stakeholders – government agencies, local bodies, and citizens – to work together towards building a disaster-resilient and sustainable future. He firmly stated that floods and landslides are recurring challenges, but with preparedness, collective responsibility, and efficient management of natural resources like rainwater, communities can protect themselves and thrive even in the face of adversity.DD
