Jammu: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Jammu and Kashmir to assess the damage caused by recent flash floods triggered by cloudbursts and record rainfall earlier this week, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Sunday.
Shah is scheduled to arrive in Jammu later this evening for a two-day visit. During his stay, he is expected to conduct an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and will chair a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan on Monday.
Since August 14, cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods in Kishtwar, Kathua, Reasi, and Ramban districts have claimed over 130 lives, injured more than 120 people, and left 33 missing. The record rainfall on August 26-27 also triggered flash floods in low-lying areas, causing extensive damage to both public and private infrastructure.
“The Home Minister is coming solely to assess the situation following the heavy rains and flash floods and to understand our requirements from the Centre to address the crisis. His visit is not related to security or development matters,” Abdullah said.
Speaking to reporters in Udhampur after reviewing the situation along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway—which remained closed for the sixth consecutive day—Abdullah added that he would present a detailed report to the Union Home Minister during the meeting at Raj Bhavan.
