Kashmir Impulse Desk
Rajouri, Aug 6
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday he would personally seek a federal financial package from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support reconstruction in the flood-ravaged districts of Rajouri and Poonch, saying the territory lacked the resources to meet the cost on its own.
CM Omar said district authorities had been directed to prepare a comprehensive assessment of losses and a detailed proposal, which he would submit to the prime minister after completion.
He said recent floods, flash floods and cloudbursts qualified as natural disasters, enabling the administration to seek central assistance.
The chief minister said that New Delhi had approved a relief package of about 14 billion rupees (USD 160 million) following floods last year.
Reviewing the aftermath of the July 19 flash floods, which killed four people in Rajouri district, he said the government’s response had moved from rescue and recovery to rehabilitation and reconstruction.
CM Omar pledged enhanced disaster compensation, assistance for families who lost homes or land, and support for affected farmers.
He said electricity had largely been restored but acknowledged that repairing damaged drinking water infrastructure remained a major challenge.
The CM also instructed officials to expedite permanent repairs to power infrastructure and ensure prompt processing of insurance claims for flood-damaged vehicles.
