CM Omar Abdullah visits flood-hit areas in Anantnag, Kulgam; assures relief, rehabilitation

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited several flood-affected areas of Anantnag district in South Kashmir to assess the damages caused by recent heavy rains and floods.

According to an official spokesperson, the Chief Minister interacted with affected families and assured them of the government’s full support during these difficult times. He pledged all possible measures for their relief and rehabilitation.

Omar Abdullah was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo and Javed Ahmad Rana, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, and concerned MLAs of the district.

During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected flood-hit localities including Mehandi Kadal, Janglaat Mandi, Deva Colony, Ashajipora Bridge, and other affected areas. Residents of Ganjiwara appealed for early completion of the flood shed pump, along with repairs to interior roads and drainage systems in Eidgah Colony.

Later, the Chief Minister chaired a high-level review meeting in Anantnag, attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, district officers from all line departments, and other senior officials.

The Deputy Commissioner presented a detailed report on flood-related damages and ongoing response efforts. These included rescue operations, establishment of shelter homes for evacuees, deployment of sandbags at vulnerable embankments, and initiation of immediate restoration works. He also highlighted issues of waterlogging, displacement, and plans for long-term mitigation.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the district administration to prioritise permanent restoration of Public Health Engineering (Jal Shakti) infrastructure due to its critical impact on public health. He also instructed officials to coordinate water tanker services and other relief efforts in consultation with MLAs to ensure that the most affected areas receive timely assistance.

He emphasised the need for improved coordination between key departments such as PHE, Power Development Department (PDD), and Roads and Buildings (R&B) to ensure the smooth restoration of essential services.

The Chief Minister also called for the formation of special teams to assess damages comprehensively, enabling detailed proposals to be submitted to the Central Government for compensation. He instructed officials to assess losses to agricultural land, horticultural crops, and stranded fruit-laden trucks on highways, and to submit detailed reports.

Stressing the importance of long-term planning, Omar Abdullah underscored the need to explore the feasibility of constructing a flood channel, carrying out dredging of rivers and streams, installing dewatering pumps, and strengthening river embankments.

The Chief Minister later visited Kulgam district to personally assess the extent of flood damage, review restoration efforts, and listen to the grievances of local residents. He assured the public that the government would take every possible step to ensure timely relief and assistance.

At a follow-up meeting held at the Mini Secretariat Kulgam, the Deputy Commissioner briefed the Chief Minister on early evacuation efforts, as well as damages sustained by roads, bridges and public utilities.

Omar Abdullah directed the district administration to expedite restoration works on a war footing while ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential services in the affected areas.