Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹1 lakh for those seriously injured in the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Kishtwar.
The government will also provide ₹50,000 to those with minor injuries. Additionally, financial assistance of ₹1 lakh will be given for fully damaged houses, ₹50,000 for severely damaged ones, and ₹25,000 for partially damaged structures from the CM’s Relief Fund.
The announcement came after CM Omar Abdullah visited the cloudburst-hit areas of Kishtwar and met the affected families.
“Chief Minister visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today and met the affected families. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and damage, assuring that the Government stands firmly with the people in this hour of grief.
As a mark of solidarity and immediate relief, the Chief Minister announced ex-gratia assistance from the CM’s Relief Fund: ₹2 lakh for each deceased, ₹1 lakh for the severely injured, ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries, ₹1 lakh for fully damaged houses, ₹50,000 for severely damaged houses, and ₹25,000 for partially damaged houses.
Instructions were also issued for the immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure in the area.”
Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met families affected by the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district.
He also reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief operations, receiving a detailed briefing from Army personnel. Using a Virtual Reality (VR) headset, the CM assessed the scale of destruction and assured that immediate relief measures would be provided to the victims.
The cloudburst, which struck along the Machail Mata Yatra route on Thursday, caused flash floods and widespread devastation, claiming at least 60 lives.
On Friday, Abdullah confirmed the death toll and said the number of missing persons was still being verified.
“Around 60 bodies have been recovered. The number of missing people is being assessed. Once the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken preventive measures, as the Met Department had issued a warning and advised people to avoid unnecessary movement. Rescue efforts by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and local Administration are ongoing, while workers from different political parties are also assisting on the ground,” Omar Abdullah told reporters. (Agencies)
