Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir should result in a relief package for the people affected by recent damages.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said, “The loss has been immense, loss of lives, especially during the two yatras in Kishtwar and Katra, there has been loss of property also. Around 330 bridges have been washed away,” he said.
“More than 1500km of roads have been destroyed. Many government buildings have suffered losses, and crops have been destroyed. Our dry fruits have been destroyed.”
He said the state government has already assessed the damages and the matter will be raised with the Prime Minister during his visit.
“Seeing this, we hope that our loss is analysed and an adequate package is announced so that we can compensate for the losses suffered,” he said.
Omar added that he would place all these points before the Prime Minister personally and expressed hope that “he will give a good package for the people of J&K.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also visited Jammu to review the flood situation. A central team has already completed a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the relentless rains across Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir was ravaged by an unprecedented flood that adversely affected both the Jammu division and the Valley, with the Jammu division bearing the brunt of the vagaries of nature.
A cloudburst on August 14 killed 67 people, mostly pilgrims of Mata Machail Devi Yatra, and injured over 100 others in Kishtwar district.
On August 26, 32 pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine were killed when a landslide hit a shelter space on the route of the shrine.
The landslide hit the shelter space when the Yatra was officially suspended and most of the pilgrims had returned to Katra base camp, but many pilgrims had taken shelter, which was hit by the landslide.
CM hopes for ample relief for flood victims
