Government to Seek Relief Package from Centre for Swift Restoration: CM
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review flood relief and restoration efforts across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmed Dar, Satish Sharma, and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, along with senior officials including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary PWD, Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Secretary School Education, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Inspector General of Police (NH), Deputy Commissioners, and other concerned officers. Several officials joined virtually.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to expedite assessments to submit relief and restoration projections to the Government of India without delay. He reviewed the utilization of funds released during the floods and emphasized permanent solutions over temporary fixes, instructing the Jal Shakti Department to prioritize the durable restoration of water supply schemes.
He also called for the fast-tracking of school safety audits and certification processes. Responding to misinformation on social media about delays in fruit truck movements on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway (NH-44), Omar Abdullah instructed Divisional Commissioners and the IGP (NH) to provide verified information promptly, clarifying that slow movement was due to poor road conditions, not deliberate delay.
Expressing concern over damage to the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu, the Chief Minister emphasized urgent protective measures following reports of land subsidence along Circular Road.
Omar Abdullah urged ministers to finalize departmental projections quickly and directed district authorities to reconcile figures for submission of a consolidated proposal to the Government of India for a comprehensive restoration package. He also instructed Deputy Commissioners to report on the admissibility of ex-gratia relief for J&K families who lost relatives in recent landslides in Himachal Pradesh.
Flood Impact and Restoration Status
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg reported that the floods damaged 16 houses fully, 57 severely, and 791 partially, with relief already provided. One life was lost in Kashmir, with compensation paid, while three other deaths in Anantnag were compensated through the Red Cross. Livestock losses and damage to cattle sheds were also addressed.
Infrastructure losses included nearly 90 km of roads across 279 stretches (52 restored) and 87 damaged bridges/culverts (more than half restored). Repairs are ongoing at the Jhelum breach in Zoonipora, Budgam. In the power sector, ₹9.34 crore has been proposed for restoring damaged poles, conductors, and transformers. Of 563 affected water supply schemes, 385 are fully restored. Safety audits of 115 school buildings were completed, with certificates issued for 43.
Agricultural losses in Kashmir include over 12,500 hectares of land and 315 hectares of horticulture affected, mainly in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Pulwama, with estimated losses of ₹59 lakh. Essential supplies are stable, and fruit transportation to Jammu and Delhi is ongoing, with over 1.37 lakh boxes moved.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu reported severe human and material losses, including 150 lives lost, 178 injured, 33 missing, and significant damage to homes, livestock, and crops, with the worst-hit districts being Kishtwar, Udhampur, and Jammu. Financial assistance of over ₹40 crore has been disbursed from the State Disaster Response Fund, with ₹3.35 crore from the HCM Relief Fund. Restoration work is underway, with 2,700 km of roads and more than half of damaged bridges temporarily restored. Permanent restoration of roads and bridges is estimated at ₹893 crore. Power, water supply, education, and public health sectors have also been impacted, with safety audits, health camps, and testing carried out to ensure community safety.
The Chief Minister reiterated that permanent restoration of infrastructure and livelihoods will proceed on a war footing once a comprehensive package is approved by the Government of India.
