Schools damaged by heavy rains to remain locked until repaired: Jammu divisional commissioner

JAMMU: Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar has directed all deputy commissioners to ensure that school buildings found unsafe or damaged due to recent rains are immediately locked and kept out of use until necessary repairs are completed, an official spokesman said on Sunday.

All chief agriculture officers have also been directed to assess the crop damage suffered by farmers in the affected areas and submit a report at the earliest for extending due assistance, the spokesman said.

The directions were issued during a review meeting chaired by the divisional commissioner to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rains across all districts of the Jammu division . The meeting also reviewed the progress of restoration works, relief measures, and the overall response of the district administrations, the spokesman said.

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Jammu Schools: Students' safety on priority

Emphasising that student safety must remain paramount, the divisional commissioner instructed the authorities to identify vulnerable school buildings without delay and prevent their use until they are declared structurally safe after repairs.

Kumar directed the Managing Director of Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited to ensure that all restoration works pertaining to damaged power infrastructure are completed on a priority basis so that supply to affected areas is normalised at the earliest.

Water levels under constant watch

He directed that roads closed due to landslides, shooting stones or damage be restored and opened for traffic on a war-footing basis, and directed the departments concerned to take up immediate repair and desilting of drains and water channels to prevent water-logging in case of further rains.

He directed that the water level of rivers, streams and nallahs across the division be kept under constant watch and that people be alerted well in time in case of any eventuality.

The divisional commissioner assured that the administration is prepared to deal with any emergency arising out of the prevailing weather and appealed to the public to cooperate with the district administrations and follow advisories.