Ramban residents halt J&K CM Omar Abdullah's convoy to protest handling of flood and landslide situation

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah's convoy was halted by local residents in Ramban to discuss their concerns following devastating floods and landslides that claimed three lives and caused extensive damage in the district on Sunday.
The natural disaster prompted political leaders across party lines to urge the Centre to declare it a national disaster and provide financial assistance to affected families.

The divisional commissioner reported that 10 to 12 villages, including Seri, Bagna, Panote, and Khari, experienced varying degrees of damage, with assessment teams working on the ground to provide relief to affected populations.
"About 10 to 12 villages, including Seri, Bagna, Panote and Khari, have suffered varying degrees of damage and our teams are on the ground to make a complete assessment so that the affected population are provided relief," the divisional commissioner told reporters.
Essential services restoration is underway, with joint teams from NDRF, SDRF, army, police, and other agencies working to improve the situation.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway sustained significant damage, with portions sunk, washed away, or buried under debris. Alternative routes like Mughal Road and Sinthan Top road are being recommended for stranded travelers.
"The highway will take time to get restored, even as our efforts are underway. We will have to check the cracks for stability. The retaining walls have also been damaged," Kumar said, advising the stranded commuters to utilise the alternative Mughal Road and the Sinthan Top road for the time being.
Efforts are ongoing to make Mughal Road two-way to facilitate essential supplies to the valley, while work continues to restore the snow-closed Sinthan Top road.
BJP leader Sunil Sharma visited affected areas and stated, "We have come to assess the situation and submit a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. We want the government to declare it as a national disaster and announce a rehabilitation package for the affected population."
National Conference MLA Arjun Singh Raju echoed the call for declaring the incident a national disaster, noting significant damage to hillside villages.
"The full assessment can be made only when the roads leading to the villages in the hills are opened. The administration is making efforts on a war footing and we are hopeful of restoring essential supplies by later this evening," he said.
Police, army, CRPF personnel, and civil volunteers are providing relief to stranded commuters and tourists.
The army has mobilized Quick Reaction Teams from multiple locations to assist affected people.
"While no emergency requisition has been made, civil authorities have assured they will seek army assistance should the need arise," the spokesperson said.
Army personnel are providing tea, hot meals, temporary shelters, and basic medical aid, with eight columns on standby for additional support if needed.
Union minister Jitendra Singh praised the army's relief efforts in a social media post: "While the district administration team led by an energetic deputy commissioner has been commendably on the job, it is time also to acknowledge and thank the Indian Army for its timely assistance, which played a crucial role in providing relief to the local population."
"I feel gratified to inform (you) that the army has set up medical aid camps, distributed essential medicines and ensured access to food and clean drinking water. They have also made special arrangements for tea and basic meals for the affected population. Needless to say, the Indian Army (is) at the service of the nation, not only during the war-time but equally as much during peacetime crisis," the Udhampur MP further stated.