Jammu, 22 July (H.S.): Days after flash floods devastated several villages in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, leaving several people dead and many others missing, Anantnag-Rajouri MP Mian Altaf on Tuesday demanded that the affected region be declared a calamity-prone area and sought a special relief package for the victims.

At least 16 people were killed and nine others remained missing as torrential rains unleashed landslides and flash floods across the two districts on Sunday and Monday, causing widespread damage to public and private infrastructure, including roads and houses, officials said.

After visiting the worst-hit areas, Altaf urged the government to expedite rescue and recovery operations for the nine people still missing and appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally assess the scale of devastation.

This area should be declared a calamity-prone area in view of the vast destruction of houses, loss of lives, missing persons and damage to agricultural land. A special package should also be given to the affected people, Altaf told reporters in Rajouri.

He said the lieutenant governor and the chief minister should visit the affected villages to take stock of the situation.

They should expedite the operation to trace the missing persons and recover the bodies. Families are waiting for their loved ones who were swept away in the floods, he said.

I travelled on foot in the rain, crossing dangerous streams, because it was my duty to reach the affected people. The damage is extensive and people are still risking their lives by crossing damaged footbridges. I have urged the administration to restore these bridges immediately, otherwise more casualties could occur, he said.

The MP said he later visited Sangla and nearby Shirkhanda, describing the devastation there as unimaginable.

He said four members of a family were killed in Sangla and their bodies were yet to be recovered, while nearly 40 houses had suffered damage besides extensive loss to agricultural land and other property.

Altaf said he also visited villages beyond Mandi towards Loran, including Sawjian, where seven members of a family were killed in the flash floods.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar