Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to the central government to provide a full relief package for those affected by the floods
SRINAGAR
Jammu and Kashmir has suffered extensive damage following recent floods, with over 13,500 residential houses affected and thousands of families rendered homeless. In response, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the central government to release a comprehensive relief package for flood-affected residents.
The devastating floods, triggered by torrential rains, claimed 155 lives, with 33 people still missing. The Jammu region was the worst hit, where 150 people died and 178 were injured, according to Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar. Chesoti village in Kishtwar witnessed a cloudburst-induced flash flood on August 14, leaving 70 dead and 33 missing. In Jammu, over 12,800 houses were damaged, including 4,200 fully destroyed and more than 8,600 partially damaged. Crops on over 1,300 hectares were also affected.
Infrastructure took a severe hit, with 2,700 km of roads, numerous bridges, and over 49,000 power transformers damaged. The 270 km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only road linking Kashmir to the rest of India, remained closed for over two weeks.
In Kashmir, four lives were lost and 870 houses damaged, while 87 bridges and culverts were affected. Of 563 water supply schemes impacted, 385 have been restored. Safety audits of school buildings submerged in floodwaters are underway.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has instructed district authorities to consolidate accurate damage assessments and submit a detailed proposal to the Government of India for adequate compensation and restoration support for flood-affected communities.