Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cut short his official visit to New Delhi on Sunday to personally oversee the emergency response in the Jammu division, where torrential overnight rains have triggered devastating flash floods and landslides. The Chief Minister had been stationed in the national capital ahead of a planned demonstration for the restoration of statehood, but chose to return immediately to Jammu following urgent weather advisories and reports of extensive casualties from the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Abdullah confirmed that the administration’s primary focus remains the preservation of human life and the rapid deployment of relief and rehabilitation resources.
The weather crisis has caused severe destruction across the region, with local authorities reporting multiple fatalities and several residents missing after rivers breached their banks and submerged low-lying areas. The flash floods caused immense damage in Rajouri town, where floodwaters inundated residential sectors and swept away numerous vehicles parked near the local bus stand. Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives, the Chief Minister announced that the State Disaster Response Force, regional police, and essential civic agencies have been placed on high alert to carry out rescue operations and assist families displaced by the rising waters.
Prior to boarding his flight to Jammu, Abdullah took to social media to assure citizens that he is maintaining direct communication with local lawmakers to monitor the unfolding situation in real time. He emphasized that the government will extend all possible financial and logistical aid to those who have suffered severe property damage. Despite the Chief Minister’s sudden departure from the capital, the National Conference confirmed that its scheduled statehood protest in Delhi will proceed exactly as planned on Monday under the direct leadership of party president Farooq Abdullah.
