Anantnag/Shopian/Kulgam: The Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), deputed by the Union Government, today visited the flood-affected districts of Anantnag, Shopian, and Kulgam to assess damages caused by recent heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides, and to review the ongoing relief, rehabilitation, and restoration measures.
In all three districts, the IMCT held detailed meetings with Deputy Commissioners and senior officers, who presented comprehensive assessments of damages to public infrastructure, power and water supply schemes, agriculture and horticulture sectors, as well as measures taken for evacuation, temporary shelter, and health and sanitation interventions.
At Anantnag, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the evacuation of vulnerable families, restoration of connectivity, and provision of temporary shelters. A long-term flood mitigation and resilience-building plan was also discussed, with the IMCT assuring full financial and logistical support from the Union Government. The team, accompanied by district officials, conducted a spot visit to embankments, roads, and other affected areas to assess ground realities.
In Shopian, Deputy Commissioner Shishir Gupta informed the team that while the district is relatively less vulnerable, recent floods damaged roads, bridges, water supply schemes, power assets, and standing crops. He reported that nearly all power and water supply systems, along with 24 out of 25 damaged roads, have been restored. Mughal Road, however, continues to face severe damage due to sliding. Around 28 villages with a population of 17,200 were impacted, with 129 families evacuated and 644 persons rescued. Long-term resilience measures, including crate bunds and embankment strengthening, have already been initiated in vulnerable areas.
At Kulgam, Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan briefed the IMCT about damages caused by floods and landslides, particularly in Khudwani and Qaimoo. The team reviewed restoration efforts across departments including PWD, Jal Shakti, KPDCL, PMGSY, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Health. The IMCT also interacted with locals in affected villages, assuring that their concerns and suggestions would be incorporated into the final report for the Union Government.
The visiting team, which included senior officers from NDMA, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, MoRTH, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Power, and Finance, underlined that the Union Government is monitoring the situation at the highest level. They assured that their recommendations will facilitate both immediate relief measures and long-term resilience planning for all three districts of South Kashmir.
