Jammu, Sep 1: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah visited Jammu today to assess the damages caused by recent heavy rains, floods, and landslides in the region. He conducted an on-ground inspection of the affected areas, including Mangu Chak village, Tawi Bridge at Bikram Chowk, Shiv Temple, and several flood-damaged homes.
During his visit, the Union Home Minister met with flood-affected families and expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and property. He emphasized that from the very first day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained in constant contact with local authorities, and the Government of India has mobilized all resources for rescue and relief operations.
Later, Shah chaired a high-level review meeting attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and senior officials from the Central and UT administrations.
Highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness, Shah called for a critical review of Early Warning Apps (EWAs) and the GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) Early Warning System, stressing the need for more accurate and grassroots-level dissemination of alerts. He urged the Meteorological Department and NDMA to jointly study the link between cloudbursts and atmospheric moisture, and use AI and data analytics to enhance early warning capabilities.
Shah announced that advanced survey teams from the Ministry of Home Affairs would assess the full extent of damage and that a follow-up meeting with central and UT departments will be held within 1–2 days. He instructed that health and water departments, along with Army medical units, CAPFs, and IAF, should extend maximum support in relief efforts.
The Home Minister also informed that Rs. 209 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has been allocated to Jammu & Kashmir as the Centre’s share. This funding has enabled the UT government to initiate relief and rehabilitation operations on a war footing.
Shah noted that thanks to timely alerts by the Central Government and UT Disaster Management Authority, major casualties were avoided. He appreciated the swift and coordinated response by the NDRF, Army, UTDRF, J&K Police, and CAPFs. So far, over 5,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations, and 17 NDRF teams, 23 Army columns, and IAF helicopters remain deployed in rescue and relief operations.
Shah also confirmed that electricity has been restored in over 80% of affected areas, potable water is available, and health services are operational. Roads are being repaired, and relief materials are reaching affected communities. Assistance for damaged private properties and houses is being processed under SDRF norms.
Concluding his visit, the Union Home Minister assured the people of Jammu & Kashmir that the Government of India stands firmly by their side in this hour of crisis. He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to providing swift relief, financial support, and technical assistance, ensuring a rapid return to normalcy under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
