RAJOURI, JULY 22: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary visited the flood-affected Bella region in Rajouri to evaluate damage and oversee recovery efforts following recent flash floods.
During his visit, he directed field personnel to accelerate road repairs and restore essential services quickly. Later, during a comprehensive review meeting, officials reported that three bodies have been recovered out of four people initially reported missing, with search efforts ongoing alongside coordinated rescue operations by the SDRF, NDRF, Police, and the Indian Army.
Infrastructure repairs are underway across multiple departments to reconnect isolated communities and stabilize basic utilities. Officials confirmed that 157 PMGSY roads, 76 irrigation schemes, and 131 water supply systems were damaged in the surge. While tankers are currently distributing drinking water, electricity restoration is progressing rapidly, with 120 of the 150 affected power feeders already operational.
The Border Roads Organisation was instructed to implement proper drainage along NH-144A to prevent future flooding, and strict action was ordered against contractors failing to repair damaged roads within their defect liability period.To support impacted residents, the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department is actively distributing dry ration kits and packed food, with strict orders to prevent hoarding and price gouging.
Detailed damage assessments are being conducted across the agriculture, horticulture, and education sectors to ensure timely relief distribution. Commending the swift response of local administrative and rescue teams, the deputy chief minister called for a long-term flood protection proposal for the Bella region to protect the community from future heavy rainfall events.