Ramban Jul 20: The District administration Kishtwar has temporarily suspended the movement of pilgrims towards the annual Shri Sarthal Devi JiYatra in view of adverse weather conditions and the possibility of rain-related disasters.

According to a public advisory issued by Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and District Magistrate Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, the decision has been taken following the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of moderate to heavy rainfall across the region and in continuation of the weather advisory issued on July 18.

The administration said the suspension has been ordered as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of devotees, as prevailing weather conditions may trigger landslides, shooting stones, flash floods, overflowing streams and other weather-related hazards along the pilgrimage route.

The advisory states that no pilgrim will be allowed to proceed towards the Shri Sarthal Devi Ji shrine until further orders. Devotees have been urged to postpone their pilgrimage plans and strictly follow the advisories issued by the district administration and other competent authorities.

The District Magistrate has also directed all concerned departments, including Police, Civil Administration and local authorities, to ensure strict implementation of the advisory.

The administration appealed to devotees, local committees and the general public to extend full cooperation in the interest of public safety, adding that the suspension will remain in force until weather conditions improve and further orders are issued.

Jammu, Jul 20: Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, led by the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Monday visited the flood-affected areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts and met the families impacted by the unfortunate disaster.

The BJP delegation took stock of the situation and interacted with the affected families in the worst-impacted areas of Surankote, Dharara, Sangala and other affected villages in Poonch, followed by Rajouri town and adjoining flood-affected localities.

The delegation, besides LoP, comprised former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, MLA and former minister Sham Lal Sharma, J&K BJP vice president and former MLC ShehnazGanie, J&K BJP general secretary Gopal Mahajan, MLA Mohan Lal (MLA), J&K BJP ST Morcha president Abdul Gani and J&K BJP spokesperson Zorawar Singh.

During the visit, Sunil Sharma listened to the concerns of the affected people, understood the challenges being faced by them and conducted a detailed review of the situation on the ground. He expressed concern over the hardships faced by the affected families and assured them of continued support and assistance.

The LOP directed the district administration to work with urgency and ensure that all possible help reached the affected families without delay. He emphasised the importance of efficient rescue operations, immediate relief assistance, restoration of essential services and a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to help people rebuild their lives.

Sunil Sharma further stated that a detailed report of the situation in Poonch and Rajouri, including the extent of damage, losses suffered by the people and requirements for relief and rehabilitation, would be submitted to the central government. He said that the concerns and demands of the affected families would be brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities so that necessary assistance and support could be ensured at the earliest.

He added that the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi always stood with the people during times of crisis and that all possible support would be sought through proper coordination with concerned agencies.

Sharma stated that, in this difficult time, all agencies must work in close coordination with sensitivity and commitment so that affected families could receive timely support and relief. He further stressed that the concerns of the people of Poonch and Rajouri must be addressed on priority and every possible effort should be made for their recovery and rehabilitation.

The devastating flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, claimed 18 precious lives, left several persons missing and caused widespread destruction to residential houses, roads, bridges, agricultural land and public infrastructure across Poonch and Rajouri districts.

In Rajouri, the delegation, accompanied by BJP district president Dev Raj Sharma and former MLC VibodhGupta, visited the flood-affected localities including Bus Stand, Rampur, Bela, ShivalayMandir, Anandpur Ashram and the slum areas near Dussehra Ground. They interacted with affected families, traders and local residents to assess the extent of damage caused by the flash floods.

Later, the delegation held a meeting with BJP party workers and prominent citizens to take stock of the extensive financial losses suffered by the business community and residents of Rajouri town. The leaders assured them that their concerns would be strongly projected before the appropriate authorities to ensure adequate compensation, early restoration of infrastructure and comprehensive rehabilitation.

The delegation urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to immediately launch a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction programme, ensuring adequate ex-gratia assistance, financial compensation, temporary and permanent shelter, uninterrupted supply of food, drinking water, medical care, restoration of road connectivity, electricity and all other essential civic amenities.

They emphasised that every affected family must receive relief without discrimination and without delay. The leaders also called upon the UT government to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the losses suffered by affected households, farmers, traders and small businesses and ensure prompt disbursement of compensation.

The BJP leaders appreciated the relentless efforts of the Indian Army, Police, SDRF, NDRF, Civil Administration, Fire and Emergency Services and local volunteers, working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to rescue stranded residents and restore normalcy.

Taking serious note of the advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued rainfall with heavy showers until July 22, the delegation urged the district administrations and all concerned departments to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautionary and preventive measures.

They emphasised the need to strengthen emergency response systems, pre-position rescue teams and machinery at vulnerable locations, ensure the availability of essential supplies and make adequate arrangements for evacuation, shelter and medical assistance in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas to prevent any further loss of life or property.

The delegation, however, criticised the National Conference-led UT government for its inadequate presence on the ground during one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in recent years. The leaders observed that while the people were battling the fury of nature, the government’s presence and response had failed to meet the expectations of the affected families.

They urged the government to personally monitor relief, rehabilitation and restoration works and ensure that every affected household receives timely assistance.

The BJP delegation also demanded a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration package under the ongoing SASCI (Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment) for the flood-affected districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

The leaders sought immediate financial assistance for the reconstruction of damaged houses, roads, bridges, schools, healthcare institutions, irrigation facilities, drinking water infrastructure and other public assets. They further urged the Government of India to sanction additional developmental works under SASCI to strengthen disaster-resilient infrastructure, undertake flood protection measures and safeguard the vulnerable border districts against future natural calamities.

The visiting delegation reiterated its commitment to standing with the people of Poonch and Rajouri and assured that every possible assistance and support would be extended to the affected families. Their concerns would continue to be raised before the concerned authorities to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation.

Ramban, Jul 20: Relentless monsoon rains and an adverse weather forecast have brought four major yatras in Jammu and Kashmir to a standstill, with the administration suspending the Amarnath Yatra till further orders and temporarily halting the yatras to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Shiv Khori shrine, and Sarthal Devi in Kishtwar as a precautionary measure.
The decision follows warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across the region, raising the risk of landslides, flash floods, shooting stones and overflowing streams along the pilgrimage routes and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

The Jammu Divisional Administration had initially suspended the movement of fresh batches of Amarnath Yatris from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, to the Baltal and Nunwan, Pahalgam, base camps on Sunday. 
Following a review of the prevailing weather conditions and the condition of the Srinaga-Jammu National Highway, the administration decided to continue the suspension till further orders.

According to an official advisory, no vehicle carrying Amarnath Yatri would be allowed to proceed towards Srinagar from Jammu, Udhampur, or Ramban until weather conditions improve.

Officials said the decision was taken after assessing the IMD forecast and the condition of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, where continuous rainfall has triggered landslides, shooting stones and road blockades at several vulnerable locations in recent days. Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, said the restrictions had been imposed solely to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

He advised devotees to remain at their designated accommodation centres in Jammu, Udhampur, and Ramban and await further instructions from the administration. To ensure the well-being of stranded yatris, the district administrations and security agencies have been directed to provide accommodation, food, drinking water, medical assistance, and other essential services at transit camps until the yatra resumes.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board also announced the temporary suspension of the yatra to the Vaishno Devi cave shrine atop the Trikuta Hills in view of the prevailing weather conditions and the IMD advisory. The board appealed to devotees to postpone their journey and rely only on official advisories regarding the resumption of the yatra. Similarly, the yatra to the Shri Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district was suspended due to persistent rainfall and unsafe conditions in the Ransoo area. The shrine authorities said the situation was being monitored round the clock and the pilgrimage would resume only after conditions become favourable. In Kishtwar district, the Sarthal Devi Yatra was also suspended till further orders. An order issued by District Magistrate and Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Pankaj Kumar Sharma, said continuous rainfall had significantly increased the risk of landslides, flash floods, shooting stones and overflowing streams along the yatra route.

The administration prohibited the movement of yatris towards the shrine during the suspension period and directed the Police, civil administration, and all concerned departments to enforce the order strictly. Devotees have been advised not to undertake the yatra until the weather improves and fresh instructions are issued. Officials said that the restrictions on all four yatras were purely temporary and had been imposed in the interest of public safety.
They urged yatris not to pay heed to rumours or unverified information and to rely only on official advisories issued by the administration.
Authorities said the yatras would resume only after a comprehensive review of the prevailing weather conditions, the safety of the routes, and the restoration of normal road connectivity.

Till then, all agencies concerned have been directed to remain on high alert and continue providing all necessary assistance to yatris across the region.