RAMBAN/UDHAMPUR, AUG 31: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today undertook an extensive tour of Ramban and Udhampur districts to assess the widespread destruction caused by recent cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and mudslides. The natural calamities have severely disrupted daily life and inflicted major damage on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
At Maroge in Ramban, the Chief Minister inspected a heavily damaged stretch of NH-44 and directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), BEACON, and other executing agencies to restore this critical road link on a war footing. He stressed that the immediate priority is to ensure the smooth movement of traffic and the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the Kashmir Valley.
While reviewing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Rajgarh—one of the worst-affected areas hit by a devastating cloudburst—Abdullah assured affected families of adequate assistance under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). He instructed officials to ensure timely support for those in distress. Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, informed the Chief Minister that financial aid from the District Red Cross Fund had already been disbursed to affected families.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also assessed the availability of essential commodities, healthcare services, and utilities across Ramban. He directed the administration to ensure the continued supply of food, clean drinking water, electricity, and medical care.
Omar Abdullah was accompanied in Ramban by MLA Arjun Singh Raju, SSP Arun Gupta, ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, and senior officials from NHAI, BEACON, and the district administration. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expediting restoration works and providing full support to affected residents.
Later in Udhampur district, the Chief Minister visited damaged stretches of NH-44 at Bali Nallah and Thard. Inspecting the ongoing restoration efforts, he directed the concerned agencies to deploy additional manpower and machinery to accelerate debris clearance and road repairs. He reiterated that restoring road connectivity is the government’s top priority.
Accompanied by MLA Chenani Balwant Singh Mankotia, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai, and senior district officials, Abdullah reviewed 24/7 clearance operations underway in the area. He emphasized that at least one carriageway of the highway must be urgently opened to enable the movement of essential supplies into the Kashmir Valley and alleviate public suffering.
Interacting with local residents at Bali Nallah and Thard, the Chief Minister listened to their grievances and assured them of full government support. He instructed the administration to provide immediate relief—including ration, clean drinking water, temporary shelters, power restoration, and other essential services—to families whose homes have been damaged.
He underlined that the safe relocation of families from vulnerable zones must be the first step, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation programme once connectivity is restored.
Highlighting the critical importance of NH-44, Omar Abdullah noted that the highway has suffered unprecedented damage in both Ramban and Udhampur, severely affecting traffic and the supply chain. He assured that every possible effort is being made to speed up restoration and minimize hardship to the public.
