Srinagar: Schools in Jammu reopened on Wednesday as flood conditions in the region showed improvement.
Authorities had earlier ordered the closure of all government and private schools on September 4 after heavy rainfall and weather alerts. The precautionary measure was taken due to landslides in hilly areas that disrupted normal life and endangered student safety. Officials had advised that online classes be conducted wherever possible.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said it would be “very beneficial” if Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Union Territory, following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s review of the flood and landslide damage.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already visited J&K and chaired a review meeting in Jammu. It will be very good if PM Modi also visits,” Abdullah said. His remarks came as the Prime Minister toured Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, which too are facing floods and landslides. The CM welcomed the visit of Central teams, saying people in J&K felt reassured by their presence.
Amit Shah was in Jammu from September 1–2, where he met flood-affected families in Mangu Chak village, inspected the damaged Tawi Bridge at Bikram Chowk, the Shiv Temple, and other flood-hit sites. The Centre has already released ₹209 crore to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also visited Thard village in Udhampur on Monday to review restoration work on National Highway-44, which has remained closed for the past eight days due to massive landslides.
NHAI officials briefed the LG that men and machinery were working round-the-clock to restore connectivity, with one lane expected to reopen soon. Sinha also met affected families and enquired about their well-being.
