JMC launches intensive cleanliness, relief operations post heavy rains

JAMMU: Jammu city has witnessed unprecedented damage due to the recent spell of heavy rains, leaving several parts of the city waterlogged and the residents distressed.  The incessant downpour has particularly affected low-lying areas, where water mixed with heavy silt and debris entered homes, causing severe inconvenience and damage to property. 

In the emerging situation, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has immediately swung into action, deploying teams headed by nodal officers including Transport officers and sanitation officers with prime focus on flood hit areas by pressing additional machinery into service to address the crisis. To increase the manpower for restoration works, as many as 200 extra Nallah labours were hired on emergency basis for muck cleaning and sanitation works.

Massive cleanliness drives are being undertaken at a war footing to clear the accumulated mud and debris from the affected areas. Along with the mobilization of available machinery, extra machinery was hired to combat this situation. Prominent among the worst-hit localities are Peer Ko, Gorakh Nagar, Rajendra Nagar and Gujjar Nagar, where operations are on round-the-clock to restore normal living conditions. Some of the areas of Gujjar Nagar, Rajinder Nagar, Sangrampur were cleared and work on other areas is in progress on fast track basis.

The overflow of the Tawi River has further aggravated the situation, inundating its adjoining areas and leading to substantial damage to infrastructure and residential premises. To counter this, Dr. Devansh Yadav Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation has issued strict instructions to all departments to expedite the cleaning process, restore essential services and provide immediate relief to the residents. He is personally visiting the spots and monitoring the ground level situation.

Large mounds of mud and debris are being removed with the help of heavy earth-moving machinery, including JCBs, while field teams continue to manually clear clogged lanes and drains. Special focus is being laid on the restoration of water supply, with water being distributed through tankers on a ward-to-ward, community-based system to ensure uninterrupted access to drinking water for the citizens.

In addition to sanitation and water restoration, the continuous rains have also disrupted electricity supply in several pockets of the city. The JMC is working in coordination with the concerned departments to expedite the repair and restoration work to minimize inconvenience to the public.

Given the risk of waterborne and vector-borne diseases in the aftermath of such flooding, Dr. Devansh Yadav has appealed to residents to cooperate with the ongoing operations, maintain cleanliness in their surroundings and avoid consumption of untreated or contaminated water. Awareness measures are also being intensified to prevent any outbreak of diseases such as dengue, malaria and cholera.

The Jammu Municipal Corporation reassures all residents that every possible step is being taken to bring the city back to normalcy at the earliest. Continuous monitoring of the situation is being carried out and emergency response teams are on high alert to address any emerging needs.