Jammu: CPI (M) leader and MLA from Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, on Saturday urged the government to immediately assess the damage caused to residential houses by strong winds across Kashmir and to compensate the affected families.
Tarigami said that strong gusts of wind, followed by snowfall in many parts of the Valley, damaged rooftops, power infrastructure, and other structures, causing hardship to people, particularly in rural and far-flung areas. He stressed that a proper on-ground assessment of the damage must be carried out so that affected households receive timely relief and compensation.
The CPI (M) leader said that snowfall is a blessing and important from a broader environmental and agricultural perspective. However, he emphasised that the government must ensure the prompt restoration of basic services and connectivity so that people do not suffer during harsh winter conditions.
Road connectivity to several villages has been affected due to snowfall, leaving many interior and remote areas cut off. He urged the authorities to deploy adequate manpower and machinery on priority to clear roads and reconnect villages at the earliest, especially in hilly and far-flung areas where residents face severe difficulties.
He further said that electricity supply was initially affected due to strong winds and later disrupted further by snowfall. Stressing that power supply is essential during winter, Tarigami urged the concerned departments to ensure its early restoration in all affected areas.
He said the government must respond swiftly and sensitively to the problems faced by people during winter and ensure that relief measures, restoration of services, and connectivity are treated as priority issues to ease public hardship.DD