R S PURA, Jun 12: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv. Devraj Sharma today appealed to all government departments, disaster management agencies and civic bodies to gear up their men and machinery well in advance to effectively tackle the forthcoming monsoon season and minimize the risk of loss to life, property and public infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here, Sharma emphasized the need for a comprehensive and coordinated preparedness strategy, recalling the extensive damage caused by heavy rains, flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in several parts of the Union Territory during the previous monsoon season. He said the losses suffered by people, particularly the poor, marginalized sections, daily-wage earners, small farmers and even middle-class families, were immense and many affected families are still struggling to fully recover from the financial setbacks.
Sharma said that every year, the arrival of the monsoon brings fresh challenges for both urban and rural areas, making it imperative for the administration to remain vigilant and proactive rather than responding only after disasters occur. He stressed that preventive measures and timely intervention can significantly reduce the impact of natural calamities and save valuable lives and resources.
The senior BJP leader noted that last year’s heavy rainfall exposed several vulnerabilities in the existing infrastructure, including inadequate drainage systems, blocked canals and water channels, weak flood protection measures, damaged roads, overflowing nallahs and delayed emergency response in certain areas. He urged the concerned departments to learn from past experiences and ensure that all necessary precautions are taken before the onset of intense monsoon activity.
Adv. Sharma called upon the Public Works Department (PWD), Jal Shakti Department, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Rural Development Department, Flood Control Department, Revenue Department, Disaster Management Authorities, Power Development Department and other concerned agencies to undertake a joint review of vulnerable locations and ensure that emergency preparedness mechanisms are fully operational.
He stressed the importance of cleaning drains, nallahs and water channels, strengthening embankments in flood-prone areas, identifying vulnerable habitations, ensuring the availability of rescue equipment and maintaining emergency response teams in a state of readiness. He further urged authorities to keep adequate stocks of essential supplies and ensure uninterrupted communication systems in areas susceptible to flooding and landslides.
Highlighting the need for better coordination among departments, Sharma said that many avoidable losses occur due to lack of communication and delayed action between various agencies. He emphasized that a unified response mechanism involving all stakeholder departments would help ensure swift action during emergencies and prevent confusion during critical situations.
“Natural disasters cannot always be prevented, but their impact can certainly be minimized through proper planning, timely execution and coordinated efforts. The administration must work in mission mode to safeguard people and public infrastructure during the monsoon season,” Sharma said.
He also appealed to district administrations to conduct regular inspections of flood-prone areas, low-lying localities and vulnerable road stretches to identify potential risks and address them before heavy rainfall begins. He suggested that special attention should be given to villages situated near rivers, streams and seasonal nallahs, where the threat of flash floods remains particularly high.
The former Sarpanch further urged authorities to establish dedicated control rooms and helplines at district and tehsil levels to facilitate prompt assistance to citizens during emergencies. He said awareness campaigns should also be launched to educate people about precautionary measures and emergency response procedures during extreme weather conditions.
Sharma expressed confidence that with proper planning, effective coordination and timely deployment of resources, the administration would be able to successfully manage the challenges posed by the monsoon season. He reiterated that protecting human lives and minimizing economic losses should remain the foremost priority of all concerned departments.
Appealing for collective responsibility, he urged both officials and citizens to remain alert, cooperate with disaster management authorities and work together to ensure a safe and resilient monsoon season across Jammu and Kashmir.