Chief Minister Briefs PM Modi on Flood Situation, Expresses Grief Over Katra Tragedy
JAMMU: In the wake of heavy monsoon rains and severe flooding in Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today conducted an extensive inspection of the city to assess damage and oversee immediate relief measures. During his visit to flood-affected areas, the Chief Minister evaluated the ground situation and instructed the administration to take all necessary steps to protect lives in vulnerable regions.
He was accompanied by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport Satish Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr. Rakesh Minhas, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ansuya Jamwal, and other district officers.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas briefed the Chief Minister on ongoing rescue operations, functioning of temporary shelters, supply logistics, and inter-departmental coordination.
During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected key sites including the 4th Tawi Bridge at Bhagwati Nagar, the Science College at Old Campus University, Hari Singh Park near Hotel Fortune Riviera, and flood-affected areas of Gujjar Nagar. He stressed the need for an immediate technical evaluation of the damaged end portion of the Fourth Tawi Bridge, recalling that it had also been affected during the 2014 floods, and emphasized preventive measures to mitigate future risks.
On the issue of damaged houses, Omar Abdullah highlighted the importance of holistic rehabilitation to ensure that affected families receive adequate support. He directed officials to identify urgent challenges on the ground and resolve them as a priority.
The Chief Minister also informed that he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the flood situation. The Prime Minister assured full support from the Government of India, particularly for areas worst affected along the banks of the Tawi River. Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction at the assurance and thanked the Prime Minister for pledging continued assistance to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Expressing grief over the recent landslide in Katra, which claimed the lives of several pilgrims, the Chief Minister observed that preventive measures should have been implemented to halt the movement of pilgrims along the route and ensure their safety, given advance warnings about severe weather. He conveyed his condolences and regrets over the tragic loss of lives.
Omar Abdullah also directed BSNL and private telecom operators, including Jio and Airtel, to immediately restore internet and communication services in Jammu & Kashmir, noting the critical importance of connectivity during crises. He further instructed authorities to prioritize reopening the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway and the Jammu–Pathankot Highway, ensuring stranded vehicles are cleared and traffic restored.
The Chief Minister urged line departments to work on a war footing to restore electricity, water supply, and road access in all affected areas. He added that a comprehensive relief package for Jammu and Kashmir will be formulated in the coming days.
During his field visit, Omar Abdullah interacted with residents in flood-hit areas, assessed damages, and directed officials to expedite relief work, provide temporary arrangements, and restore essential services without delay.
