SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reviewed restoration and relief operations across Jammu and Kashmir following heavy rains, directing officials to accelerate the restoration of essential services, protect vulnerable areas and maintain a high level of preparedness in view of continuing adverse weather conditions.
Chairing a high-level review meeting through video conference from New Delhi, the Chief Minister assessed the status of restoration works, road connectivity, healthcare, relief operations and the availability of food and other essential supplies across the Union Territory.
Officials informed the meeting that electricity restoration in the flood-hit Poonch district was progressing on a war footing and is expected to be completed by Tuesday evening. Abdullah directed the Power Development Department to ensure the work is completed within the stipulated timeline and that any remaining issues are resolved without delay.
Reviewing the impact of landslides, flash floods and heavy rainfall on road connectivity, the Chief Minister instructed departments to expedite restoration work, particularly on roads crucial for the movement of people, relief operations and essential services.
Abdullah also directed district administrations to remain vigilant in flood- and landslide-prone areas, identify high-risk locations using historical flood data and ensure timely evacuation wherever required. He further ordered strict regulation of traffic movement on roads vulnerable to landslides and shooting stones to minimise accidents and ensure public safety.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted supplies of food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential commodities in affected areas. He instructed officials to maintain adequate stocks and undertake advance distribution of rations in places where continued rainfall could disrupt road connectivity.
Expressing concern over widespread waterlogging in several parts of Srinagar after Monday’s rainfall, Abdullah directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and other departments to pre-position men, machinery and dewatering pumps at vulnerable locations to ensure quick drainage of accumulated rainwater and restore normal movement.
The meeting was informed that despite heavy rainfall, the situation in Kashmir Division remained largely under control. Officials said roads and drinking water supply were functioning normally, while migratory families living in vulnerable areas had been shifted to safer locations. Advance warnings have also been issued for the forecast of intense rainfall in south Kashmir, with the administration mobilised to respond to any emergency.
In Jammu Division, officials said major roads damaged by Sunday’s rains had been restored, while work was continuing to repair power infrastructure and drinking water supply, particularly in Poonch. Additional doctors, including gynaecologists, are being deployed to remote areas, while relief centres providing food, drinking water and medicines remain operational.
Officials also informed the meeting that disbursement of the Chief Minister’s ex gratia relief had begun, allocation of three months’ food grains was being processed on priority, petroleum supplies were being closely monitored and efforts to restore mobile connectivity in affected areas were underway.
The Jal Shakti Department informed the meeting that water supply infrastructure and irrigation channels had suffered localised damage in several areas, particularly in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Restoration work is being carried out with field teams, manpower and machinery deployed across vulnerable locations.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to strengthen coordination, closely monitor weather forecasts and remain prepared for any emerging situation. He also instructed the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to submit detailed situation reports every six hours to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for continuous monitoring and timely decision-making.
Reiterating that public safety remains the government’s top priority, Abdullah asked officials to ensure speedy restoration of essential services, timely relief to affected families and proactive action to minimise the impact of further adverse weather.
