Ramban Tragedy: Not a ‘national disaster’ : CM Omar

Srinagar, Apr 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured that adequate relief and rehabilitation would be provided to the families affected by flash floods and landslides in Ramban district, although he stated that the devastation could not be declared as a “national disaster.”
Speaking to reporters at Kela Morh, just a few kilometers from Ramban district headquarters along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Abdullah said, “This is a localised disaster, not a national one. Relief will be extended to the victims so they can rebuild their lives.”
Accompanied by senior officials, the Chief Minister visited the affected areas to personally assess the damage. He trekked several kilometers on foot through rugged terrain to reach Kela Morh, one of the worst-hit locations, where the cloudburst had triggered flash floods.
“The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is our top priority,” said Abdullah, acknowledging the extensive damage to the road, with several vehicles buried under debris. “We’re considering realigning parts of the highway, and clearing the worst-hit areas could take two to three days,” he added.
Officials estimate that clearing the worst-hit areas could take two to three days, while other sections may be restored within 24 hours. Abdullah described the affected highway stretch as one of the most challenging.
The Chief Minister said the district administration has been directed to assess total damage and submit a report. “We’ll arrange a relief package on our own and also discuss additional support with the Centre,” he noted.
“If weather conditions permit, I will visit other flood-hit areas of Ramban town on Tuesday and chair a review meeting with concerned officers,” he said.
Describing the scene as “deeply distressing,” Abdullah expressed concern over the scale of the devastation, which has left several families displaced and infrastructure severely damaged.
“Our administration is on the ground, working tirelessly to ensure the safety, relief, and rehabilitation of every affected family,” he stated. “We will leave no stone unturned in standing by our people during this difficult time.”
Rescue and relief operations are underway, with teams deployed to provide immediate support, medical aid, and temporary shelter to those impacted.
Authorities are also assessing long-term rehabilitation measures as the region grapples with the aftermath of the natural disaster.
He further directed the concerned departments to expedite restoration work on the highway to resume vehicular movement at the earliest.
The district administration informed the Chief Minister that clearance operations are in full swing, with teams from the Public Works Department (PWD), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), disaster response units, police, volunteers, and the local population working round the clock to remove mudslides and boulders and restore normalcy in the affected area.
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah assured that there is no shortage of essential supplies in the Valley.
“I want to assure people that there’s no crisis of essentials—there’s no need for panic buying. Officials have been instructed to crack down on price hikes and black marketing, even involving the police in market inspections and making arrests if necessary,” he stated.
Chief Minister Omar was scheduled to visit flood- and landslide-hit villages in Ramban but had to return to Srinagar after the approach road was washed away.
He promised to visit the affected areas from the Jammu side on Tuesday, if the weather will remain suitable.
Despite inclement weather preventing helicopter operations, CM Omar travelled by road after officials confirmed that the Banihal sector of the highway had been cleared.
Braving fresh rain, he reached Maroog around 5:30 pm and trekked nearly two kilometres to Kela Morh to personally assess the damage. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary and officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
On Sunday, three people, including two minor siblings, were killed in the calamity. Over 100 people were rescued after cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides that caused extensive damage to roads, houses, and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, NHAI Project Director Purshottam Kumar said that the situation remains extremely challenging with massive muck deposits at more than a dozen locations, especially along the four-kilometre stretch between Seri and Maroog. At some points, the height of the sludge exceeds 20 feet. Restoration may take five to six days,” he said.