Rajouri: Relief provided to families affected by hailstorm, cloudburst

Teams deployed to assess damage to crops, public infrastructure

RAJOURI, MAY 09: District Administration, Rajouri today provided assistance and compensation to 10 families for loss of livestock due to hailstorm and cloudburst near Thanamandi last evening.

An assistance of Rs 3.50 Lakh with Rs 35,000 each was provided to 10 affected families by a team of officers at a public meeting here at Thanamandi.

  The administration has also sanctioned another Rs 4 Lakh as compensation for the livestock killed due to the natural calamity. Each affected family was also provided a tent and 5 blankets. The administration has also deputed teams for assessment of loss to Agriculture, Horticulture and allied sectors as well as public infrastructure.

Preliminary reports confirmed loss to more than 2000 Kanals of standing crop and over a dozen orchards.

 As per reports, the overnight hailstorm has damaged roads and snapped water supply and power lines in the affected area. Restoration work has been fast-tracked by the concerned departments.

MLA Rajouri Advocate Qamar Choudhary interacted with the families at Thanamandi and assured all possible help. He appreciated the District Administration for extending prompt relief to the affected families and commendable job done by officers for rescue and rehabilitation which saved many lives.

District Development Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary reviewed the relief and restoration operation started by departments and sought the     participation of the public to ensure transparency in the assessment process. He informed that besides providing assistance and compensation to nomadic families for loss of livestock, the     damage to crops and private property would also be compensated as per assessment report. He appreciated the active role played by local people in rescue and relief operation.

ACR Qayoom Mir, SDM Afzal Mirza, SDPO Iftkhar Choudhary, Tehsildar Thanamandi, BDO were also present.