SRINAGAR, August 21,2025 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Kishtwar and Kathua, the districts worst hit by recent cloudbursts and flash floods.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for speedy relief distribution, restoration of essential services, and long-term strategies to safeguard vulnerable regions from recurring calamities.
“Whether it was a cloudburst or a glacial lake outburst, the tragedy struck at the busiest time of the year in Chashoti village. Had it occurred otherwise, the impact might have been less severe. These are lessons we must carry forward. Clear SOPs for highly vulnerable areas are a must,” he said.
On the rescue operations, Abdullah observed that with 33 people still missing, chances of survival were bleak. “Our priority is to retrieve the bodies and hand them over to families, while simultaneously rehabilitating those whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed,” he added.
The CM assured full government support for reconstruction of damaged houses, restoration of agricultural land, and provision of temporary electricity, water supply, food and shelter until normalcy is restored. He directed officials to deploy generators and intensify work to restore road connectivity on a priority basis.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar briefed the meeting, reporting that 65 lives were lost in Kishtwar, with 62 bodies identified and handed over, while 66 people were rescued alive. Relief camps have been set up, with Army, Police, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration jointly engaged in operations.
In Kathua, the Deputy Commissioner reported seven deaths and 13 injuries, with five areas severely affected. Immediate relief has been provided, NGOs engaged, and temporary shelters established. Restoration of roads may take about a week, while efforts continue to resume electricity, water and telecom services.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretaries Shaleen Kabra and Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary PDD, Commissioner Secretary Food & Civil Supplies, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, and DCs of Kathua and Kishtwar, along with other senior officers.
Abdullah directed authorities to intensify relief on war footing while simultaneously formulating a comprehensive disaster mitigation plan for J&K’s vulnerable regions.
