SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited the flood-ravaged areas of Poonch district, where recent flash floods and cloudbursts claimed several lives and caused widespread destruction, and announced that families rendered landless by the disaster would be provided five-marla plots for rehabilitation.
During the visit, Omar toured the affected areas of Murrah, Surankote and Arigam-Loran, met families who lost their loved ones and reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures with the district administration.
In Murrah, the Chief Minister visited the residence of Mohammad Latif, who lost eight members of his family in the flash floods. He expressed his condolences and assured the bereaved family of the government’s full support.
Later, in Surankote, Omar interacted with affected residents and representatives from Sangla, Darra Sangla and Lower Sangla, who apprised him of the extensive damage to houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure, besides the loss of lives.
The Chief Minister also visited Arigam-Loran, where he met the family of Mohd Rafiq and Riaz Ahmed, who lost seven family members in the disaster. He offered prayers for the deceased and expressed solidarity with the grieving family.
Interacting with residents across the affected areas, Omar heard their grievances and assured them that the government would ensure all possible assistance for relief and rehabilitation.
Announcing a key rehabilitation measure, he said families who had lost their land due to the floods would be allotted five-marla residential plots to help them rebuild their lives.
Describing the cloudbursts as an unprecedented natural calamity, the Chief Minister said such events remain difficult to predict with existing technology. He said the government would explore advanced early warning systems to strengthen disaster preparedness and reduce future loss of life and property.
Later, Omar chaired a review meeting with senior officials to assess the rescue, relief and rehabilitation work carried out after the disaster. He directed the administration to expedite damage assessment, ensure timely distribution of relief and restore essential public services at the earliest.
He also appreciated the coordinated response of the civil administration and other agencies involved in rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister particularly commended the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, for their prompt response and leadership during the emergency.
