Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said this year’s heavy rains have caused severe damage across the state and assured affected families that the government will provide relief and seek a substantial financial package from the Centre.
Abdullah, who met families displaced due to land sinking in Kalaban village of Poonch district, said, “This year’s rains have caused damage in Jammu and Kashmir. We will use whatever financial resources we have to provide relief to the people. We are in close contact with the central government and will place our demands before them for a significant package for Jammu and Kashmir.”
Nearly 400 residents of Kalaban village in the Mendhar subdivision have been moved to temporary shelters after several houses developed cracks following land subsidence triggered by continuous rainfall, officials said. The administration, with support from a local NGO, is providing relief material and essentials to the displaced families. Authorities have declared Kalaban unsafe and directed residents to evacuate until further notice.
On September 13, about 700 people were affected and nearly 95 houses damaged after days of heavy rain. Relief camps have been set up to provide food, drinking water, and other basic amenities to the affected families.
Meanwhile, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, which had been suspended for 22 days due to heavy rains and landslides, resumed on Tuesday. The reopening has brought relief to devotees, many of whom had been waiting in Katra for the shrine to reopen.
-ANI