Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reviewed the flood situation in the region and expressed concern over the damage caused by two days of continuous rainfall, saying the Union Territory narrowly escaped a major crisis.
Speaking to ANI, the Chief Minister drew parallels to the devastating floods of 2014, noting that further rainfall could have triggered a disaster of similar scale.
Speaking to ANI, CM Abdullah said, “If it had rained for 1-1.5 more days, we would have faced a lot of difficulties. However, the water has now started receding… But going forward, I will have to hold meetings with the officers myself to understand what we did after 2014. If this is the situation after two days of rain, then God forbid if it had rained for four days, our situation would have been like it was in 2014… We will have to take stock of our shortcomings because we cannot continue to live in fear.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Chief Minister held a crucial meeting with Ministers of Council, Advisor to Chief Minister, MLAs of affected areas and senior officers, to assess the situation caused by incessant rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, which has triggered flooding in several regions, rising water levels, and damage to life & property, according to official handle of J&K CM office.
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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed officials to remain on high alert, ensure timely relief & rehabilitation, restore essential services, and take all measures to safeguard lives, while keeping constant communication with the public.
He also spoke to PM Modi and briefed him about the situation in the worst-hit areas of Jammu, particularly along the banks of the Tawi River, which had suffered significant damage due to recent events.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remains completely shut for the second consecutive day after up and down tubes of the highway in the Samroli area were washed away following heavy rainfall. Restoration work is underway.
As a precautionary measure, the water level of the River Jhelum in Srinagar decreased, and universities, colleges, and schools in Kashmir remained closed for the second day. (ANI)
