Jammu, Sep 04: The administration has intensified restoration work and debris clearance in low-lying areas of Jammu city following flooding in the Tawi river, and has considerably restored water and power supply in the affected areas.

Officials said that they have restored 70 per cent of water supply and 80 per cent of the power supply.

Record-breaking rainfall triggered panic as the river Tawi, popularly known as Surya Putri, roared with flood fury on August 26, inundating hundreds of homes and hectares of farmland, washing away structures and livestock, and displacing thousands in Jammu city, particularly Gujjar Nagar and Peerkho.

“Cleanliness operations are being undertaken at a fast pace to remove muck and debris from localities and ensure they are fully cleared of deposits left by the floodwaters of the Tawi. The administration is fully working on this issue,” Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said.

Kumar, flanked by Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas and JMC Commissioner Devansh Yadav, monitored the operations carried out by labourers and machines after weather conditions improved on Thursday.

“A large number of labourers and six JCBs are engaged to ensure the areas are cleaned as soon as possible. Officials are monitoring the process,” he said.

On the morning of August 26, the calm river turned into a raging torrent, submerging low-lying areas, particularly riverbank colonies of Peerkho, Gujjar Nagar, Gurkha Nagar, Rajiv Nagar and others. Streets became waterways, prompting large-scale rescue operations amid panic across the ‘city of temples.’

Peerkho, among the worst-hit areas, was left strewn with half-buried vehicles, debris, boulders and uprooted trees. More than 300 people, including children clinging to their mothers and the elderly too frail to walk, were pulled out in desperate rescue efforts. But fear still lingered like a shadow.

Kumar said the administration is working in a proactive manner. “The Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, and MD JPDCL — all are on the ground, working fast to restore essentials. Muck and debris clearance is being carried out in the area,” he said.

The divisional commissioner further said water and power facilities are being fully restored.

“About 70 per cent of the water supply has been restored, and the remaining is being done at a fast pace. Nearly 80 per cent of the power supply has been restored in the area. Work is being carried out on a war footing,” he said.

As far as relief is concerned, he said the assessment is being done by the deputy commissioner.

“Once that is completed, ex gratia will be given to the affected families. All possible support will be provided by the government, as it stands with people in this tough time,” he added.

He further said that full relief will be given to all the flood-affected victims, and all facilities and essential supplies will be restored very soon.

On water supply restoration, the deputy commissioner has procured private water tankers to ensure supply to all affected areas.

“It will take some time, but we are committed to fully restoring the facility,” Kumar added.

Srinagar, Sept 04: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the launch of a 15-day campaign to obviate the possibility of spread of water borne diseases due to possible contamination of drinking water post floods.

The order in this regard has been issued by the Secretary General Administration Department (GAD) Piyush Singla.

“It is hereby ordered that a sustained and organized campaign for taking preventive measures, against water borne diseases including intensive water quality testing and generating awareness about the need to consume safe potable water shall be carried out across the J&K UT for a period of 15 days from September 4, 2025,” the order reads.

The government has also listed detailed SOPs to run the 15-day campaign.

As per the order, the concerned Deputy Commissioners have been designated as the Nodal Officers for coordinating, monitoring and implementing the campaign at district level.

As per the order, the District Development Commissioner who is also the Chairman of District Jal Jeevan Mission has been entrusted to kick start meeting at District level and mobilizing different departments at district level.

The DCs, as per the order, will coordinate and monitor the campaign at district level.

The Jal Shakti Department has been tasked to ensure water Quality Testing through laboratories with active involvement of field level workers and make announcements through mobile vans about the measures and precautions to be taken during floods for safe consumption and storage of drinking water.

As per the SOPs, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department has been tasked to share the alerts of water borne disease with Jal Shakti Department for proper investigation and taking necessary corrective measures.

“The department will also generate awareness and promote community participation for safe water consumption and preventive health care,” the GAD order reads.

The Rural Development Department (RDD) has been asked to conduct special sanitation drives in villages especially at traditional water sources, water supply assets, and sources of schemes.

“The department will educate people about common wash practices and importance of maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene,” it reads.

The School and the Higher Education Department has been asked to hold demonstrations of water quality testing, through laboratory staff, in colleges and schools and educate students about common WASH practices and importance of maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene.

“Special sanitation drives must be carried in Colleges and Schools,” it reads.

The Social Welfare Department has been assigned the role of conducting water quality tests in nearby laboratories and promoting common WASH practices besides holding special sanitation drives in Anganwadi centres.

The field staff in collaborations with ASHA workers have been asked to make inhabitants of affected areas aware about the disruptions caused to water supply schemes and suggest alternate sources of potable drinking water.

“Chlorine tablets shall be provided and people shall be made aware of other methods of water purification. Intensive water testing should be carried out by Sub Divisional and District laboratories,” it reads.

The GAD order reads that intensive water testing shall be carried out in the affected areas from where the inhabitants are acquiring drinking water, with a minimum frequency of every three days till the regular supplies are restored.

“Testing of water samples of restored water supply schemes shall be carried out before and after the filtration process and also at household level to ensure safety of drinking water,” the order reads.

New Delhi, Sep 4: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court order denying him bail in a terror funding case.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, however, refused to grant him interim bail.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Shah, sought interim bail, saying that the petitioner was “very sick”.

The bench issued notice to the NIA on Shah’s plea challenging a June 12 this year order of the high court.

The bench posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.

The high court had refused to grant him bail in the case, observing the possibility of him carrying out similar unlawful activities and influencing witnesses couldn’t be ruled out.

Shah was arrested by the NIA on June 4, 2019.

In 2017, the NIA registered a case against 12 persons on allegations of conspiracy for raising and collecting funds for causing disruption by way of pelting stones, damaging public property and conspiring to wage war against the Government of India.

Srinagar, Sep 04: Educational institutions in Kashmir remained closed for the second day on Thursday in view of the flood-like situation following heavy rainfall in the valley over the past two days.

“In view of adverse weather conditions and as a precautionary measure, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres across Kashmir on Thursday, 4th of September 2025,” an official spokesperson said.

The educational institutions remained closed on Wednesday as well due to incessant rains which have posed a flood threat in the valley.

While the water level in Jhelum and its tributaries has started receding since Thursday morning, some areas in Anantnag, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts have been affected due to spillover of water at some places.