Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced today that the Jammu and Kashmir government will provide five marlas of land each to families affected by the recent flooding. This decision aims to assist those left homeless and landless due to devastating landslides and flash floods.
During an interaction with residents in Duggain, Billawar, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgent need for help. His announcement came after he conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected districts, alongside MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh.
Omar Abdullah assured the residents that the administration would prioritize relief and rehabilitation measures. He remarked, “The year 2025 has brought immense devastation to Jammu and Kashmir—from the dry spell in March-April to incessant rains, landslides, and flash floods in August-September.” He referred to the damage as unprecedented, stating it stretched from Kathua to Kupwara.
The Chief Minister provided alarming insights into the scale of destruction. “Torrential rains have damaged over 350 bridges and nearly 2,000 km of roads. Thousands of hectares of agricultural land are severely impacted,” he noted. He added that many crops have been washed away, causing significant losses to both government and private infrastructures.
Given these challenges, Jammu and Kashmir is seeking a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package from the Central Government to assist affected families. In his assessment of the situation, Abdullah highlighted the importance of understanding the ground realities by personally visiting remote areas of the region.
After surveying Hiranagar and Lakhanpur, key entry points to Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah held a meeting with district officials. He directed Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, to tour all impacted areas and submit detailed reports as quickly as possible.
Dr. Rameshwar Singh, MLA Bani, also addressed the assembly, underscoring that the Bani region has faced severe damages from landslides. He reported that in villages like Moar, Najote, and Kanthal-Majra, nearly 100 families have entirely lost their land and property.
MLA Singh urged the government to expedite land allotments and address pressing concerns, including damages to the Jalana Bridge and delays in the tendering of renovations for local schools. He also requested relief measures for loans and electricity bills for the affected families.
In response to these concerns, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vowed to thoroughly evaluate all requests and offer extensive support to families impacted by the disaster. He expressed his commitment to ensuring timely assistance, reiterating that the administration stands with the people in this period of recovery.
