Srinagar, Sep 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the flood-like situation faced by people this year was due to the failure of the authorities in carrying out the dredging of the Jhelum and other flood channels in the last 11 years post 2014 floods.
Talking to reporters at Shalina, CM Omar said that had the authorities taken the right steps, this situation would not have taken place today.
“If dredging of the Jhelum and flood channels had been carried out, this situation would not have arisen. There has been negligence on the part of those who were in power in the last 11 years. We will question this negligence and seek answers. We will ensure that people are not forced to abandon their homes, live in fear, or park their cars on flyovers to keep them safe in such a situation in the future,” he said.
The CM said that they expected that after the 2014 floods, people would not witness such conditions again.
“Unfortunately, we are forced to see this situation due to the negligence of the last 11 years. Rainfall is in the hands of Allah, but rainfall alone should not cause such devastation. If the right measures had been taken over the past 11 years, these losses could have been avoided,” he said.
However, CM Omar assured people that from now on, “we will not allow such situations to arise again.”
He said that a review meeting would be convened to assess what had actually been done during the last 11 years in terms of flood management.
“The government will ensure that in the future such situations are not repeated, where even two days of rain create a sense of danger among people. We will take concrete measures, and preparations for that will begin immediately,” the CM said.
He said that after the 2014 floods, a package was announced under which dredging of the Jhelum and flood channels was to be carried out to increase their carrying capacity.
“Unfortunately, it now seems that these 11 years have been wasted. It raises a serious question about what has been done in the past 11 years,” CM Omar said.
About the difference between the 2014 floods and the 2025 situation, he said, “This year we managed to save Srinagar city from flooding. Although water has entered areas like Lasjan but Srinagar city has been protected.”
The CM said that districts like Kulgam and other places faced significant financial loss.
“But this would not have happened had the authorities taken the right steps during the last 11 years,” he said.
Referring to the recent incessant rains which caused a flood-like situation, CM Omar said that people were timely evacuated from their homes and there was no loss of life.
“Property damage has occurred, and that cannot be denied. Now, we will ensure that the financial losses are properly assessed. The Centre has already deputed a team to inspect damages in ten districts of Jammu. I will write to Home Minister Amit Shah and request him that the same team should also visit Kashmir districts, including Anantnag, Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, and Bandipora, where crops that were nearly ready for harvest and other properties have suffered heavy damage,” he said.
The CM said that the losses must be assessed and a relief package should be sanctioned for J&K by the Centre.
Earlier, CM Omar carried out an extensive visit to the flood-affected areas of Srinagar and Budgam districts, reaching interior localities by boat to take stock of the situation following a breach in the embankment of the River Jhelum at Shalina near Lasjan.
He visited Taingan Lasjan and Shalina areas, where he made a first-hand assessment of the situation.
Braving the floodwaters, the CM reached the submerged interiors by boat.
He also interacted with affected residents and assured them that the government would extend all possible help and support.
“The immediate priority of the administration is to rescue people from inundated areas, evacuate them to safer locations, and provide instant relief,” CM Omar said.
He directed the administration to ensure smooth and safe evacuation of families from waterlogged localities and instructed that temporary shelters be established, adequately equipped with safe drinking water, food, and medical facilities.
The CM urged residents of adjoining areas to strictly follow advisories issued by the administration and to extend full cooperation to the authorities engaged in rescue and relief operations.
Speaking to the people at the site, he said, “The apprehension we had yesterday, owing to the continuous rains and the rising water levels of the Jhelum, unfortunately came true and caused flooding in several areas. First and foremost, we are deeply thankful to Almighty Allah that timely evacuation was carried out and, most importantly, there has been no loss of human life.”
Acknowledging the scale of damage, CM Omar said there had been considerable financial and property loss.
“This cannot be denied. We have to make appropriate decisions in this regard. A team from the Central Government has already been deputed to assess damages in ten districts of Jammu. I will be requesting the Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, to depute the same team to Kashmir as well, so that the damages in Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, and other affected areas can be properly assessed,” he said. “It is our responsibility to evaluate the extent of losses in every flood-hit area and to ensure that necessary relief and rehabilitation measures are taken for our people.”
The CM gave directions to provide potable drinking water to the affected families and additional boats to evacuate the cattle stranded in marooned cattle sheds.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, and MLAs from Chadoora, Chanapora, and Lal Chowk constituencies accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Budgam, Director Health Services Kashmir, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir, along with other senior officers, were also present.
