J&K: CM Omar Abdullah reviews highway restoration in Ramban

The Chief Minister said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration are already on the job, but full restoration may take 20–25 days.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the flash flood and cloudburst-hit sections of National Highway-44 at Marog and Bali Nallah in Ramban.

landslides and cloudbursts have caused extensive damage in recent days.

The Chief Minister said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration are already on the job, but full restoration may take 20–25 days.

“Repairs will require nearly three to four weeks, but commuters need not panic as alternate routes are functional,” Omar clarified.

Commenting on the Rajgarh cloudburst, Shri Omar Abdullah said he was informed by the local MLA and immediately directed relief measures. “We promptly dispatched the DC and SP to the site. Relief has been announced, and the Red Cross has also extended support. More help will be provided as per requirement,” he assured.

Further, he said “The MLA spoke with me yesterday on phone. I immediately spoke with my officers, and we announced a relief for them. DC and SP reached the spot. Arrangements were made by the Red Cross too. We will do whatever more is needed.”

Earlier today, the Indian Army, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, UTDRF and other rescue teams, on Sunday launched operations after a cloudburst hit Rajgarh Tehsil in Ramban district, where flash floods affected multiple locations and four bodies have been recovered so far, officials said.

At least four people were killed and one was reported missing after a cloudburst hit the Rajgarh area of Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences to the bereaved families who lost their lives in a cloudburst and landslide following heavy rainfall in Ramban and Reasi districts.

The LG spoke with the officials to assess the situation and stated that all possible assistance was being provided to the victims.