CM visits flood-affected areas of Srinagar, Budgam
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today urged the Centre to send a team to assess flood-related damages in Kashmir, similar to the one deployed in 10 districts of Jammu.
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Omar criticized the lack of preventive measures over the past 11 years.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Shalina and other flood-hit areas, Omar said he would write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting that the Central team currently assessing flood-related damages in 10 districts of Jammu be also sent to Kashmir.
“This team should cover districts including Kulgam, Anantnag, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Baramulla, wherever floods have damaged property or crops that were almost ready for harvest. Based on this assessment, the Centre should approve a relief package for both the Jammu and Kashmir regions,” he said.
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Omar highlighted that, unlike previous floods, Srinagar was largely spared, but Kulgam and other areas suffered extensive damage.
“If proper measures had been taken after the 2014 floods-such as dredging the Jhelum and increasing the carrying capacity of flood channels-this situation would not have arisen,” he said.
The Chief Minister criticized the lack of seriousness and accountability over the past 11 years. “Somewhere there has been negligence from those in power. People should not have had to leave their homes or keep vehicles on flyovers. We must raise these questions and seek answers.”
He also stressed the need for immediate and long-term measures to prevent future flooding. “We will start preparations today so that floods do not threaten the region after just two days of rain. Rain is a blessing from God, but it should not be harmful. Such damage could have been avoided if corrective measures had been implemented over the past decade,” he said.
Earlier, Omar carried out an extensive visit to the flood-affected areas of Srinagar & Budgam districts, reaching interior localities by boat to take stock of the situation following breach in embankment of River Jhelum at Shalina near Lasjan.
He visited Taingan Lasjan and Shalina areas, where he made a first-hand assessment of the situation. Braving the floodwaters, he reached the submerged interiors by boat. He also interacted with affected residents, and assured them that the Government would extend all possible help and support.
“The immediate priority of the administration is to rescue people from inundated areas, evacuate them to safer locations, and provide instant relief,” he said.
He directed the administration to ensure smooth and safe evacuation of families from waterlogged localities and instructed that temporary shelters be established, adequately equipped with safe drinking water, food, and medical facilities.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and MLAs from Chadoora, Chanapora and Lal Chowk constituencies accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit. Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Budgam, Director Health Services Kashmir, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir, along with other senior officers, were also present.
Omar urged residents of adjoining areas to strictly follow advisories issued by the administration and extend full cooperation to the authorities engaged in rescue and relief operations.
Speaking to the people at the site, Omar said, “The apprehension we had yesterday, owing to the continuous rains and the rising water levels of the Jhelum, unfortunately came true and caused flooding in several areas. First and foremost, we are deeply thankful to Almighty Allah that timely evacuation was carried out and, most importantly, there has been no loss of human life.”
He gave directions to provide potable drinking water to the affected families and additional boats to evacuate the cattle stranded in marooned cattle sheds.
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