An advanced survey team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reached Jammu on Wednesday to study the areas affected by heavy rains, floods, and landslides. The team will prepare a detailed report on the damage caused, officials confirmed.

The visit comes after directions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who asked the ministry to use data analytics and artificial intelligence in the assessment. During his visit to Jammu on September 1, Shah told the MHA to work closely with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to study the causes of the calamity.

The IMD and NDMA have been given the task of examining the connection between cloudbursts in the Jammu division and the moisture content in clouds. They will also work to identify the root causes of such disasters and help set up an early warning system. Shah further said there should be a “critical review of all Early Warning Apps (EWAs), their accuracy, and their outreach to the grassroots level.”

During his visit, Shah met flood-affected families in Mangu Chak village and inspected damaged locations, including the Tawi Bridge at Bikram Chowk, a local temple, and nearby houses. He later chaired a high-level meeting and announced that a joint meeting of central and UT departments, along with the Union Home Secretary, would be held soon.

Meanwhile, relief and rescue work continues across the region. Over 5,000 people have been shifted to safer places. Seventeen NDRF teams, 23 army columns, Indian Air Force helicopters, the UT Disaster Response Force, J&K Police, and Central Armed Police Forces are all involved in ongoing rescue and assistance operations.

You might also be interested in: Bihar bandh today over abuse to PM Modi, his late mother during Rahul Gandhi’s yatra