UDHAMPUR, AUG 31: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today undertook an extensive tour of Ramban and Udhampur districts to assess the widespread destruction caused by recent cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and mudslides.
He said that the natural calamities have severely disrupted daily life and inflicted major damage on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway.
He stressed that the immediate priority is to ensure the smooth movement of traffic and the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the Kashmir Valley.
While reviewing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Rajgarh one of the worst-affected areas hit by a devastating cloudburst Abdullah assured affected families of adequate assistance under the State Disaster Relief Fund.
He instructed officials to ensure timely support for those in distress.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also assessed the availability of essential commodities, healthcare services, and utilities across Ramban.
He directed the administration to ensure the continued supply of food, clean drinking water, electricity, and medical care.
He instructed the administration to provide immediate relief including ration, clean drinking water, temporary shelters, power restoration, and other essential services—to families whose homes have been damaged.
He underlined that the safe relocation of families from vulnerable zones must be the first step, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation programme once connectivity is restored.
Highlighting the critical importance of NH-44, Omar Abdullah noted that the highway has suffered unprecedented damage in both Ramban and Udhampur, severely affecting traffic and the supply chain.
He assured that every possible effort is being made to speed up restoration and minimize hardship to the public.
|