SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed authorities to restore essential services, particularly drinking water and electricity, within 24 hours in flood-affected areas and ordered immediate relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures as Jammu and Kashmir continues to grapple with the impact of incessant rain and flash floods.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister stressed the need for maintaining a high state of preparedness to deal with flood-like situations arising from erratic weather patterns. He instructed all departments to prioritise vulnerable locations, minimise loss of life and property, and intensify efforts to trace and retrieve missing persons.
The meeting was attended by Health, Education and Social Welfare Minister Sakeena Itoo, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and other senior officials. Ministers Javed Ahmed Rana and Satish Sharma, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and all Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing.
Omar Abdullah directed the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to immediately assess the flood situation and identify the worst-affected districts. He also ordered that adequate funds, on the pattern followed during 2025-26, be placed at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners to facilitate prompt relief, rehabilitation and restoration of damaged infrastructure.
Reviewing rescue and relief operations in the worst-hit districts of Poonch and Rajouri, the Chief Minister instructed district administrations to ensure that relief camps are adequately stocked with food, drinking water and medical facilities. Officials informed the meeting that joint rescue and relief operations involving the Civil Administration, Police, SDRF, NDRF, Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other departments had been launched immediately after the flash floods and were continuing.
The Chief Minister directed the Power Development Department to expedite restoration of electricity in Poonch and Rajouri, noting that the revival of drinking water supply schemes depended largely on the restoration of power. He instructed officials to complete the work within the stipulated timeline and resolve any remaining issues without delay.
He also reviewed the district-wise status of relief distribution and damage assessment, directing Deputy Commissioners to ensure timely assistance to affected families in accordance with prescribed norms. Officials were instructed to expedite assessment and compensation for damage to houses, livestock, public infrastructure and agricultural land.
During the meeting, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir gave detailed presentations on flood preparedness and relief measures.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Kashmir Division had activated a comprehensive flood preparedness mechanism, with all Deputy Commissioners, district administrations and line departments placed on high alert. Rescue teams, evacuation centres, emergency equipment and essential services have been positioned for any eventuality.
The meeting was informed that 654 vulnerable villages, with an estimated population of 7.22 lakh at risk, had been identified across the Valley. As a precaution, 1,505 residents from vulnerable areas have already been shifted to designated rescue centres, while evacuation plans remain in place for other locations.
Authorities said 744 rescue centres, 108 SDRF boats, 25 Army boats, 98 satellite phones, 102 identified helipads and adequate emergency response funds have been kept ready to strengthen rescue operations. District Emergency Operations Centres and the State Emergency Operations Centre are functioning round the clock to monitor the situation and coordinate the response.
Officials also informed the meeting that water levels in the River Jhelum remained well below the warning level at all monitoring stations. Irrigation and Flood Control teams continued surveillance of rivers and flood channels, while healthcare, drinking water supply and telecommunications services remained operational with contingency arrangements in place.
For Jammu Division, officials reported that Emergency Operation Centres were functioning round the clock in all districts, contingency plans had been activated, weather advisories were being issued regularly, and restoration machinery had been pre-positioned at vulnerable locations. A total of 363 vulnerable locations have been identified, 142 mock drills conducted and 138 helipads earmarked for emergency operations. Authorities also said adequate SDRF funds, trained volunteers and emergency response equipment had been kept ready to respond to any emergency.
