Srinagar | Aug, 27: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the severe flooding and heavy rains affecting the Jammu region, expressing gratitude for the central government’s commitment to assist the affected population.
The relentless rainfall led to significant destruction, including landslides, flooding of low-lying areas, and the loss of infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Tragically, 32 fatalities were reported due to a landslide near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, with additional casualties in Doda district. During his visit to the flood-impacted areas, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted that a slight improvement as the rains ceased, allowing water levels to recede. He highlighted the extensive damage, particularly to infrastructure, referencing past incidents from the 2014 floods. Abdullah emphasized the need for expert assessments to prevent future occurrences of similar damage and acknowledged the ongoing risks faced by residents living near rivers and flood channels.
He reported that while some districts experienced severe impacts, others like Rajouri and Poonch remained relatively unscathed. Abdullah indicated that immediate relief efforts were underway, and once the situation stabilized, a comprehensive damage assessment would be conducted to formulate a recovery package. He also addressed the issue of housing in flood-prone areas, stating that measures would need to be taken to relocate residents living in vulnerable locations to prevent repeated damage from future floods.
