Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said five marlas of land will be provided to each flood-affected family rendered homeless to allow them to reconstruct their dwelling units.
Abdullah announced while interacting with residents of Duggain village in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district, whose houses and livelihoods were severely impacted by the recent flooding, an official press release informed.
It said earlier, he conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in the district, accompanied by Bani MLA Rameshwar Singh.
Assuring people of all possible assistance, Abdullah directed the administration to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation measures.
“The year 2025 has brought immense devastation to Jammu and Kashmir — from the dry spell in March-April to incessant rains, flash floods, and landslides in August-September. From Kathua to Kupwara, the damage has been unprecedented,” he said.
Abdullah highlighted the scale of destruction, noting that torrential rains have damaged over 350 bridges, around 2,000 km of road network, thousands of hectares of agricultural land, besides washing away standing crops and inflicting damages on both government and private buildings.
“Given the enormity of restoration challenges, Jammu and Kashmir is looking forward to a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package from the Central government,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of first-hand assessment, Abdullah said his visit to the remote and isolated areas of Kathua was aimed at understanding the ground realities.
He also undertook an aerial survey of damages in Hiranagar and Lakhanpur, the entry point of Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, the CM convened a meeting with district administration, including Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma and senior civil and police officers.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner to conduct extensive tours of all affected areas and submit detailed ground reports at the earliest.
MLA Bani highlighted extensive damages due to landslides triggered by torrential rains in his constituency.
In villages such as Moar, Najote, and Kanthal-Majra, nearly 100 families have lost their land and property completely, he said and demanded allotment of five marlas of land for such affected families, besides highlighting other pressing concerns, including damages to the Jalana Bridge, delay in tendering of work for High School Lohai, upgradation of High School Sadrota, as well as amnesty from KCC loans and electricity bills for affected families.
The Chief Minister assured that the government would examine all these demands with due seriousness and extend all possible support to the affected families.
“The government has decided to provide five marlas of land to each family who have been rendered homeless and left without land due to landslides and flash floods so that they are able to construct their dwelling units,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister also undertook an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of district Reasi before reaching Mahore to meet the people reeling under the devastation.
Accompanied by MLA Gulabgarh, Khurshied Ahmed, and other senior officials, the Chief Minister expressed deep solidarity with the affected families and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to prioritizing their relief and rehabilitation.
According to an official press release, addressing a gathering of flood victims, Omar Abdullah said, “The purpose of my visit here is to share your pain and express my condolences for the loss of lives and property you have suffered. I want you to believe that you are not alone in this difficult time.” He assured people of sustained government intervention to help them rebuild their lives.
The Chief Minister recalled that his wish was for Khurshied Ahmed’s first programme as MLA to be one of joy and development—laying the foundation of new projects or inaugurating new facilities. “But destiny had something else in store,” he remarked. “It is not a favour that Khurshied Sahab and I are here; it is our duty and our way of repaying the faith you placed in us last year.”
Reflecting on the unusual challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir this year, Omar Abdullah said that J&K had gone from the threat of severe drought earlier in February–April, to unprecedented floods that wreaked havoc from Kathua to Kupwara. “In the beginning of the year, there was no sign of rain, and I had asked our irrigation, flood control, and PHE departments to prepare for drought. Yet, when the rains came, they came with such fury that plains and mountains alike were ravaged,” he noted.
He candidly acknowledged that lapses in planning and road construction practices may have compounded the damage, particularly where mountain cutting led to landslides and road collapses. “Thousands of kilometres of roads under PWD and PMGSY networks simply vanished,” he observed, stressing the need for better foresight in future infrastructure planning.
Interacting with affected families, the Chief Minister assured them that comprehensive relief measures and long-term rehabilitation plans were being put into motion. “We will not only help you tide over the immediate crisis but also ensure that your lives are rebuilt afresh with dignity and resilience,” he pledged.
NC to decide Rajya Sabha seats for itself, allies: Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said his party National Conference will take a call on who will contest in the upcoming elections to four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from the Union Territory.
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday announced that the biennial elections to fill the four Rajya Sabha seats of Jammu and Kashmir, lying vacant since 2021, will be held on October 24.
“There are four seats. We will decide how many seats we will fight and how many seats we will leave for others to fight,” Abdullah told reporters during his visit to the flood-hit Mahore sub-division in Reasi district.
Asked about reports that NC president Farooq Abdullah and former minister Sajjad Kitchloo will contest the Rajya Sabha elections from the party, he said, “You can name anyone you want but it is the party which is going to decide on this.
“As far as I know, there has been no such talk in the national conference.”
