Local disaster, not national: Omar promises relief for Ramban victims

Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah, who visited the cloudburst-hit Ramban district on Monday, said officials had informed him that it would take two to three days to clear the main site impacted by mudslides on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Describing the tragedy as a “local disaster,” Omar said the government was in talks with the Centre to arrange a special package for the affected population.

“This is not a national disaster but a localised one. It is a disaster and, accordingly, relief will be provided to the victims for rebuilding their lives,” Omar told reporters when asked if his government would approach the Centre to declare the calamity a “national disaster.”

With restoration work facing significant challenges due to bad weather, Omar travelled to Ramban on Monday evening to assess the situation firsthand. Sources said the CM, who was in Delhi on Monday morning, returned to Srinagar and was scheduled to fly to Ramban by chopper. However, due to inclement weather, he was unable to travel by air. Instead, he chose to travel by road and even walked portions of the route to personally take stock of the damage, reaching the heavily impacted Kela Morh area on the highway.

Speaking to reporters at Ramban, Omar said that restoring the highway and clearing debris-covered vehicles was the top priority.

“Officials have told me that it would take two to three days to clear the main site, while the rest of the sites would be cleared within 24 hours,” he said.

The CM said immediate relief would be provided. “We will arrange for a special package and we will talk to the Centre,” he said.

Abdullah added that if the weather permitted, he would visit remote villages on Tuesday and would also hold a review meeting in Ramban the same day.

Earlier in Srinagar, Omar had acknowledged that the situation was extremely grave in parts of Ramban.

He said that the Union Territory government was in constant touch with the Centre.

“The National Disaster Response Force has also been sent there. The Prime Minister’s relief fund and other relief funds will also be tapped so that people get compensation for the loss,” he said.

Reassuring people in Kashmir, Omar stated there was no shortage of supplies. “There is no need for hoarding, nor should anyone do black marketing here. The government and the officials have been clearly instructed that wherever there is black marketing, where unnecessary prices are being raised, strict action should be taken,” he asserted.

J & K