Kathua/Udhampur: Weather Improves, Relief and Restoration Efforts Underway
Kathua: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday received an update from Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma regarding the aftermath of recent monsoon-related disruptions. He stated that weather conditions have improved across the district.
In a post shared on X, Singh wrote, “#Kathua: Received the update from DC Sh Rajesh Sharma. Weather conditions have improved today across the district. While rehabilitation measures continue, every effort is being made to restore road connectivity to Bani by this evening.”
Singh also spoke to Udhampur DC Saloni Rai about the situation in that district following incessant rainfall. He noted that essential arrangements are being made by the administration in line with the prevailing weather conditions.
In another X post, he said, “#Udhampur: Spoken to DC Ms Saloni Rai. Peripheral areas like Latti remain inaccessible by road. Arrangements are being made to transport essentials by helicopter to areas such as Mogri, subject to weather conditions.”
The Union Minister added that alternative arrangements have been provided for residents whose homes were washed away in the Udhampur floods.
Meanwhile, Udhampur DC Saloni Rai conducted an extensive inspection of relief camps across the district on Wednesday, reviewing facilities and interacting with residents displaced by the heavy rainfall that began on the evening of August 25.
DC Rai outlined the administration’s response to the natural calamity, which has caused rivers and streams to swell and triggered multiple landslides. She confirmed that several areas remain completely cut off due to the widespread damage.
Speaking to media DC Rai said, “Our primary focus has been to prevent any loss of life. A total of 38 relief camps have been activated in safer locations across Udhampur district, currently sheltering over 2,000 people.”
She added, “The district administration is ensuring all essential supplies, including food and water, are provided to affected individuals. Each camp is fully staffed to address residents’ needs, with teams working round-the-clock on the ground.”
Providing a preliminary assessment of road damage, Rai stated, “Approximately 380 roads have been damaged across the district. Restoration efforts are underway, and 190 of these roads have already been repaired and reopened.”
She noted that while connectivity has been restored to most areas, remote regions such as Dudu-Basantgarh and parts of Moungri remain cut off. The administration continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure delivery of essential supplies to these isolated areas.
Network connectivity has also been largely restored, except in the Dudu-Basantgarh belt. The DC assured that full-scale road restoration would resume with additional machinery as soon as weather conditions permit.
Continuous heavy rainfall in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir has triggered landslides, flash floods, and widespread waterlogging, resulting in multiple fatalities, displacement of thousands, and extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods.
