"There is the need to have a comprehensive action plan for disaster management. Jammu & Kashmir's vulnerability to various natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, snowfall is well known and the current natural calamity has only reinforced the need of giving due priority to the subject," Azad said.
He said spreading awareness about the threat posed by natural disasters like floods, landslides etc will also help to mitigate their impact.
Accompanied by MOS (Revenue) Aijaz Ahmad Khan and MOS (Technical Education, Power & Information) Vikar Rasool, Azad visited Khanikote, Sungri, Shajroo, Thuru, Dheeda, Bhimdessa and Buzla in Gool, Gulabgarh and Banihal constituencies. During his visit, he interacted with people.
Expressing solidarity with the people, Azad said he was anguished to see the unprecedented destruction caused to public infrastructure like roads, bridges, power distribution network and water supply systems and private assets like houses, crops, agricultural lands, livestock etc.
Demanding that the situation be declared a national calamity, Azad said, "The enormity of the challenge warrants a liberal financial package, irrespective of partisan considerations, to restore the broken down infrastructure and rehabilitate the victims.