Anantnag / Kulgam / Shopian : A seven-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) dispatched by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) arrived in South Kashmir this week to assess the damage inflicted by recent floods, cloudbursts, and landslides across the region. The team visited Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian districts, reviewing on-ground relief and rehabilitation efforts, engaging with local administrations, and interacting with affected residents to chart out a roadmap for both immediate relief and long-term resilience.
Central Team Begins Assessment in Anantnag
In Anantnag, the IMCT held discussions with local officials led by Deputy Commissioner Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, who presented a comprehensive report detailing the damage caused by the recent extreme weather events. The district administration outlined its response measures which included the evacuation of at-risk populations, provision of temporary shelters, restoration of health services, and re-establishment of basic infrastructure.
The Deputy Commissioner also emphasized the need for a strategic flood mitigation plan, underscoring the importance of integrating resilience-building into infrastructure planning. According to district officials, connectivity restoration, including bridges and road networks, was progressing, with health and sanitation concerns receiving prompt attention.
Following the review meeting, the IMCT conducted spot inspections across various flood-affected areas to assess damages firsthand. The team examined river embankments, damaged roads, and public infrastructure, providing inputs for the upcoming damage assessment report to be submitted to the central government.
Officials accompanying the IMCT noted that New Delhi is monitoring the situation closely and will provide necessary financial and logistical support to expedite both relief operations and reconstruction efforts.
Kulgam: Officials Present Ground Report and Needs
The IMCT proceeded to Kulgam, where a detailed review meeting was held with Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan and senior officers from departments including PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jal Shakti, KPDCL, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry, among others.
The district administration outlined the scope of the damage, including infrastructure losses, disrupted water supply systems, and agricultural destruction caused by flash floods and landslides. Flood-prone areas like Khudwani and Qaimoo were specifically highlighted as zones of critical damage.
Officials reported that the administration had successfully implemented temporary shelter programs, community outreach, and had begun damage documentation for targeted restoration. The IMCT conducted field visits to several affected locations and interacted directly with affected villagers, noting their concerns and suggestions.
The team assured residents that their observations would be incorporated into the final report submitted to the central government, which would inform decisions regarding relief allocations and infrastructure investments in Kulgam.
Shopian: Less Affected but Not Spared
In Shopian, although considered less vulnerable to flooding than its neighbouring districts, the damage was not negligible. Deputy Commissioner Shishir Gupta provided the IMCT with a detailed disaster assessment, noting that the district had suffered infrastructure losses, including damage to roads, power lines, bridges, and water supply schemes.
Particularly in the Zainapora subdivision, lower riparian villages were severely impacted. The DC outlined that:
- Two 33KV power lines, 16 feeders, 13 transformers, and 19 electric poles were damaged but had since been restored.
- Of the 92 water supply schemes, 55 were disrupted and have now been restored.
- 25 roads suffered flood damage, out of which 24 have been restored.
- A PMGSY road stretch of 860 meters remains damaged.
- 28 villages, covering 4,284 hectares and home to over 17,000 residents, were impacted.
- 129 families were evacuated, and 644 individuals were rescued.
- 21 temporary shelter sheds were established to accommodate displaced families.
- 11 residential homes were reported damaged.
- Crop and orchard losses are currently under detailed evaluation.
The DC highlighted that emergency protection works, including crate bunds and embankments, had been initiated at critical points such as Hydergund, Safanagri, and Zainapora to prevent further damage from possible future events.
The IMCT emphasized the need for accurate, department-wise documentation of losses and assured that these reports would play a key role in determining the extent of financial assistance from the central government.
Chief Secretary Pushes for Urgent Central Assistance
Later, the IMCT held a high-level meeting with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, who made a strong appeal for immediate central support to rebuild essential infrastructure and compensate affected populations, especially in the agriculture sector.
The Chief Secretary highlighted that schools, health facilities, roads, bridges, and power infrastructure had all sustained damage, necessitating both repair and reinforcement. He proposed a comprehensive safety audit of critical public infrastructure, particularly those used daily by the general public such as schools, bridges, and hospitals, to ensure they can withstand future disasters.
Dulloo also proposed that the central government cover the farmers’ share of premiums under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), thereby ensuring that affected farmers are not excluded from receiving crop insurance due to financial constraints.
He also called on national road agencies to accelerate repair work on damaged roads and initiate connectivity projects to improve access to remote areas that had been cut off during recent floods.
Casualties and Impact on Daily Life Across J&K
The situation in Jammu and Kashmir over the past month has been marked by intense rainfall, flash floods, and cloudbursts, leading to widespread destruction across the Union Territory. According to official estimates, around 150 people have lost their lives due to weather-related incidents, while infrastructure across several districts remains partially or fully disrupted.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, a key arterial route connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, has witnessed frequent closures, causing major delays in transportation of goods and passenger vehicles. Authorities have been working round the clock to restore connectivity and ensure smooth supply of essential commodities.
Looking Ahead: Towards Long-Term Resilience
While immediate relief measures are underway across the flood-affected districts, the central team’s visit has brought renewed focus to the importance of disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and community-based response systems. The IMCT is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the Union Government based on its interactions, observations, and field assessments in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian.
District administrations have already initiated steps towards restoring normalcy, but the larger challenge lies in long-term recovery and ensuring that the region is better equipped to deal with future climate-related disasters.
The IMCT’s findings and recommendations will likely influence policy decisions and fund allocation for mitigation projects in Kashmir. While central intervention appears imminent, it remains critical that the coordination between local administrations, state authorities, and the Centre continues to remain robust and focused on resilience-building.
The recent natural calamities in Jammu and Kashmir have served as a harsh reminder of the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure and communities. However, the rapid response, inter-agency cooperation, and prompt central engagement offer a degree of reassurance that efforts are being made to address not just the current crisis but also to prepare for those yet to come.
