"This year's rains caused significant damage in J-K": CM Omar Abdullah

Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 17 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that this year’s heavy rains have caused severe damage in the state.

He also assured affected families that the government will provide relief and seek a significant financial package from the central government.

The Chief Minister met the families affected due to land sinking in Kalaban Village.

Speaking to the reporters, Omar Abdullah said, “… This year’s rains have caused significant damage in Jammu and Kashmir… We will use whatever financial resources we have to provide relief to the people. We are also in close contact with the central government… We will place our demands before them for a significant package for Jammu and Kashmir…”

Nearly 400 residents of Kalaban village in the Mendhar subdivision of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district have been shifted to temporary shelters after several houses developed cracks due to land subsidence triggered by continuous rainfall, officials said on Monday.

Authorities, with the support of a local NGO, are providing relief material and essentials to the displaced families. The administration has declared Kalaban unsafe and directed residents to evacuate until further notice.

On September 13, nearly 700 people were affected, and about 95 houses were damaged after days of heavy rain. Families housed in relief camps are being supplied with food, drinking water and other basic amenities, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has resumed today after being suspended for 22 days due to heavy rainfall and landslides.

The reopening of the pilgrimage has brought relief and joy to devotees, many of whom had been waiting in Katra for the shrine to reopen. Pilgrims from across the country have started arriving, expressing happiness that their long wait has finally ended and that they will now be able to seek blessings at the holy shrine.

A pilgrim from Nagpur said, “We were waiting for the past four days for the yatra to resume. We had tickets for the 20th but were about to cancel them. Last night, we received a notification that the yatra would restart. I am very happy, and now I will be able to complete my yatra. Mata Rani will fulfil my wishes and keep everyone happy.” (ANI)

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