"330 bridges washed away, over 1,500 km roads destroyed": J-K CM Omar Abdullah on flood devastation

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 20 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the Union Territory has suffered massive losses in recent floods and expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would announce a relief package during his reported upcoming visit.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah highlighted the extent of destruction, particularly during the Kishtwar and Katra yatras.

“The loss has been immense, loss of lives, especially during the two yatras in Kishtwar and Katra, there has been loss of property also. Around 330 bridges have been washed away. More than 1500 km of roads have been destroyed. Many government buildings have suffered losses, and crops have been destroyed. Our dry fruits have been destroyed,” Abdullah said.

He added that the state government expects adequate support from the Centre to rebuild after the devastation.

“Seeing this, we hope that our loss is analysed and an adequate package is announced so that we can compensate for the losses suffered. I will put all these points before the Prime Minister and hope that he will give a good package for the people of J&K,” the CM said.

Earlier on Wednesday, BJP leader Ravinder Raina expressed concern over the heavy losses suffered by apple growers in Kashmir after torrential rains, floods, and landslides hit the region, disrupting transport on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Speaking at the fruit market in Pulwama, Raina said the devastation caused by recent extreme weather has directly impacted the livelihood of thousands of farmers who depend on apple cultivation.

“Heavy rains, floods, and landslides have caused significant losses for Kashmir’s apple traders. I’ve been to the apple market in Pulwama and I see that nearly five lakh apple crates are lying packed in the apple market,” he said.

The BJP leader highlighted that the damage to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had paralyzed movement of goods, with apples unable to reach markets outside the Valley.

“The apple business has suffered significant losses because the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was damaged in several places due to the massive landslides. However, the National Highway Authority of India has worked hard to reopen it,” he added.

Raina urged the administration to stand with the traders at this difficult time and called for immediate relief measures.

“This is the time to stand with the apple traders, to help them…A compensation report should be prepared for the apple traders here whose apples have been destroyed. The district administration should immediately assess the losses suffered by apple traders,” he said.

He also stressed the need for broader financial relief, particularly waiving off loans taken by farmers under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.

“Most importantly, the KCC loans that farmers took for their farming and cultivation should be waived off,” Raina said.

Heavy rains and flash floods this month have destroyed crops, damaged orchards, and left traders stranded with unsold produce. The closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for several days compounded the problem, delaying transport of perishable goods. Traders have expressed fears that continued disruption could affect the entire apple season, leading to further losses. (ANI)

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