Srinagar, 30 August – The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has expressed profound grief and deep anguish over the tragic loss of lives due to a devastating landslide in the Rajgarh area of Ramban district. The incident has prompted the Chief Minister to issue immediate directives for large-scale rescue and relief operations in the affected region.
In a series of posts on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the Office of the Chief Minister detailed Abdullah’s reaction to the natural calamity. He expressed deep sorrow specifically over the tragic landslide in Bhadder village, Reasi, which claimed the lives of seven members of a single family, marking a profound tragedy for the community.
Taking serious note of the continuous heavy rains lashing various parts of the state, which have heightened the risk of such disasters, the Chief Minister made a urgent appeal to the public. He urged citizens to remain highly alert, avoid vulnerable areas including slopes and riverbanks, and strictly adhere to all safety advisories issued by the authorities.
To mitigate further risks and manage the current crisis, CM Abdullah has directed the district administration and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to be on high alert. His instructions emphasize the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the situation, the timely evacuation of residents from risk-prone zones, and the immediate provision of relief and all possible assistance to the affected families. He further instructed all concerned departments to maintain utmost vigilance, coordinate closely with each other, and take every necessary precautionary measure to safeguard lives during the ongoing spell of inclement weather.
In a separate incident, the Chief Minister also conveyed his grief over a major fire outbreak at Kashpot in the Tulail area of Gurez, which resulted in several houses being gutted. Demonstrating his hands-on approach, Omar spoke directly with the local MLA from Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Khan, to assess the situation on the ground and assured him of the government’s full support and assistance for the affected families. The government’s comprehensive response underscores its commitment to addressing both natural and man-made disasters across the state during this challenging period.