Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited flood and landslide-affected areas of Poonch to assess the damage caused by last month’s heavy rains, which claimed 16 lives and left six people missing in the border district.
The Chief Minister’s Office said Abdullah would meet affected residents and review relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures with the district administration.
“Chief Minister is visiting Poonch today to meet the people affected by the recent floods and assess the damage and relief requirements first-hand. He will also review the ongoing relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures with the district administration,” the office said in a post on X.
Abdullah travelled to Poonch via the historic Mughal Road and was received at Pir Ki Gali by Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana and Surankote MLA Choudhary Mohammad Akram. Senior civil and police officials also accompanied him during the visit.
Surankote was the worst-affected area, accounting for most of the fatalities in the 19 July rain-related disaster. Torrential rainfall triggered cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides, causing widespread destruction across the district. Several houses and vehicles were washed away, while roads and other infrastructure suffered extensive damage.
During his visit, the Chief Minister is scheduled to meet bereaved families, inspect affected areas and review the extent of destruction caused by the floods and landslides.
The disaster damaged residential houses, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, disrupting connectivity and essential services in several parts of the district. Hundreds of families were affected, with many moved to safer locations as authorities continue assessing the damage.
On 19 July, Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting in Jammu to review the situation following the heavy rainfall and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in rain-related incidents in Poonch and neighbouring Rajouri district. Three people died and one person remained missing in Rajouri.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Abdullah said that while no financial assistance could compensate for the irreparable loss suffered by families, the government stood firmly with those affected during the crisis.
The Chief Minister is also expected to visit Rajouri later in the day, officials said.
