Says two more days of rain could have put entire J&K in crisis
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he will personally review the measures implemented in Jammu and Kashmir following the devastating 2014 floods, to assess what has changed over the past decade.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said the recent spell of heavy rainfall created a grim situation across the Union Territory. “Had the rain continued for two more days, both Jammu and Kashmir could have faced a very difficult situation. In 2014, the flood situation emerged after six days of continuous rainfall, but this time just two days of rain led to a flood-like scenario,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the situation has now improved, with water levels receding and the immediate flood threat subsiding. “With the grace of Almighty, the situation is under control. But we need to seriously examine what has changed since 2014. I will sit with officials in the coming days to review the measures taken after that deluge, including the carrying capacity of flood channels, the Jhelum, and other preventive steps,” he said.
Omar stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes to avoid recurring crises. “We must rectify the errors because we cannot afford to live under a constant flood threat every year,” he remarked.
Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts over the past few days had pushed water levels in major rivers and streams above the alarm and danger marks, triggering fears of a repeat of 2014. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also reviewed the situation in Jammu few days..
