Kashmir Impulse Desk

Rajouri, July 19

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday visited flood-ravaged areas of Rajouri and Poonch, where flash floods and landslides have killed at least 11 people, and pledged immediate relief and rehabilitation for affected families as rescue teams continued searches for the missing.

Abdullah toured some of the worst-hit areas, including Surankote and Rajouri town, to assess the scale of destruction caused by torrential rain that inundated homes, swept away vehicles and damaged roads, bridges and power infrastructure across the Pir Panjal region. He interacted with bereaved families, displaced residents and officials overseeing rescue and restoration efforts.

Describing the loss of life and property as deeply distressing, the chief minister said the administration was committed to ensuring timely assistance to affected families and directed officials to expedite rescue operations, restore essential services and complete damage assessments without delay. He said compensation and rehabilitation measures would be extended in accordance with government norms.

The visit came as multiple agencies, including the Army, police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil authorities, continued relief operations across Rajouri and Poonch following one of the worst rain-related disasters to hit the region in recent years. Hundreds of people have been evacuated, while restoration work on roads, electricity and water supply remained underway.

Abdullah also reviewed restoration efforts with district officials and directed them to prioritise assistance to families whose homes had been damaged or destroyed, while ensuring uninterrupted supply of food, drinking water and medical aid to relief camps housing displaced residents.