Govt to provide 5-marla land to flood-hit victims: CM
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By RK News
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25 Sep 2025
Assures timely help, long-term support for affected families
J&K Govt to review KCC loan, power bill waivers for flood victims
KATHUA, SEPT 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced that the government will allot five marlas of land to every flood-affected family that has lost both their home and land due to recent flash floods and landslides. The initiative, he said, is aimed at enabling the affected families to rebuild their lives with dignity.
The announcement was made during his visit to Duggain in Billawar, where he met families severely impacted by the recent floods. Earlier, the Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged areas in Kathua district, accompanied by MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh.
“The year 2025 has brought immense devastation to Jammu and Kashmir, from the dry spell in March-April to relentless rains, flash floods, and landslides in August and September,” Abdullah said. “From Kathua to Kupwara, the damage has been unprecedented.”
He directed the local administration to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts. Highlighting the scale of destruction, he said over
350 bridges, nearly
2,000 km of roads,
thousands of hectares of agricultural land, and both public and private infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. The Chief Minister also urged the Central Government to provide a
comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for the Union Territory.
During his field visit, Abdullah emphasised the importance of direct engagement with the affected population. “Understanding the ground realities is essential,” he said, after surveying flood-hit regions in Hiranagar and Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, the Chief Minister convened a meeting with district administration, including Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, ADC, and senior civil and police officers. He directed the DC to conduct extensive tours of all affected areas and submit detailed ground reports at the earliest.
He later chaired a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma, ADC, and other senior civil and police officials. He directed the district administration to undertake
extensive field tours, assess the full extent of damages, and
submit detailed reports without delay.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, informed the Chief Minister that villages like
Moar, Najote, and Kanthal-Majra have witnessed near-total destruction, with over
100 families losing both land and shelter. He demanded five marlas of land for each affected family and raised concerns about key infrastructure, including the damaged
Jalana Bridge, delays in the
High School Lohai project, and sought relief in
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and electricity bills for flood-hit families.
The Chief Minister assured that the government would
seriously consider all demands and extend every possible support.
Continuing his outreach, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in
Reasi district, before reaching
Mahore to interact with families devastated by the calamity. He was accompanied by
MLA Gulabgarh Er. Khurshied Ahmed and senior officials.
Addressing flood victims in Mahore, the Chief Minister said, “My visit here is to share your pain and express heartfelt condolences for the loss you’ve suffered. You are not alone — the government stands firmly with you.”
He noted with regret that he had hoped MLA Khurshied Ahmed’s first public event would celebrate development. “But fate had other plans,” he said. “It is not a favour that Khurshied Sahab and I are here; it is our
responsibility and
a repayment of the trust you placed in us.”
The Chief Minister once again reflected on the
extraordinary weather patterns that battered J&K this year, from drought warnings in early spring to devastating monsoon rains. He also acknowledged
infrastructure planning lapses, noting that
poor road-cutting practices in hilly areas contributed to widespread landslides and collapses.
“Thousands of kilometres of roads under PWD and PMGSY have simply disappeared. We must now build with
resilience and foresight,” he said.
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