Srinagar, September 5, 2025 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar to review the flood situation across the Kashmir Valley, with a focus on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Health & Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmad Rana, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior bureaucrats, divisional and district commissioners, senior police officers, engineers from KPDCL, I&FC, R&B, BEACON, and SAMPARK, along with officials from SDRF, NDRF, and the India Meteorological Department. Outstation officers joined via video conference.
Situation Briefing
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir reported that water levels at Sangam, Ram Munshi Bagh, and Asham have now receded below the danger mark. Inundated villages in Shalina are witnessing gradual improvement, with displaced families receiving relief assistance. Personnel from I&FC, police, and allied departments are patrolling embankments and deploying sandbags at vulnerable points.
Officials further informed that:
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Water supply schemes are largely functional, with only minor disruptions.
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Power, telecom, and health services remain mostly unaffected.
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Essential supplies are being routed via the Mughal Road, which has emerged as the Valley’s temporary lifeline.
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NH-44 is expected to reopen tomorrow, with fruit-laden trucks currently being cleared through Mughal Road in a phased manner.
Deputy Commissioners from Valley districts confirmed that water levels are receding in major Jhelum tributaries, including the Lidder, Vaishow, Sandran, and Rambi Ara rivers.
CM’s Directives
Calling the next 48–72 hours “critical,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed:
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Immediate reinforcement of vulnerable embankments.
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Evacuation of residents from inundated areas.
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Round-the-clock monitoring through control rooms.
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Frequent visits to affected areas to boost public confidence.
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Countering of rumours to prevent panic.
“The level of vigilance currently being maintained must continue until the water recedes fully. Our deployed teams must remain active on the ground, and any breach in bunds should be addressed without delay. While the respite from continuous rainfall has improved the situation, we cannot afford complacency,” he stressed.
Relief, Restoration, and Compensation
The Chief Minister announced ₹5 crore from the UT CapEx budget, in addition to SDRF funds, to support immediate relief operations. He directed DCs to conduct realistic assessments of damage to property, crops, and infrastructure to facilitate compensation and to project requirements before the Government of India.
Special emphasis was laid on:
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Assessing crop damage in both provinces.
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Ensuring vigilance against water-borne and post-flood diseases.
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Restoring electricity, drinking water, and road connectivity at the earliest.
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to ensure safety, timely relief, and early restoration of normalcy across flood-affected areas of the Valley.
