Budgam, July 22,2026- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited Beerwah in Budgam district to assess the extensive damage caused by incessant rainfall and the overflowing of Nallah Sukhnag, assuring affected shopkeepers that the government would provide all possible assistance and expedite restoration of damaged infrastructure.
During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the Beerwah Bus Stand area, where a shopping complex was washed away after the collapse of a flood protection wall triggered by flash floods. Interacting with shopkeepers who suffered losses, Omar Abdullah expressed solidarity with them and assured that those whose shops had been established with valid government permission would receive every possible support.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner Budgam to collect and scrutinise all documents submitted by the affected traders so that genuine cases could be processed for compensation and rehabilitation in accordance with government norms.
Addressing the shopkeepers, the Chief Minister said the government would examine all eligible claims sympathetically. He also acknowledged the demand for temporary rehabilitation and stated that, subject to structural safety clearance, the newly constructed Municipal Committee shopping complex could be considered for temporary relocation of the affected traders.
To ensure public safety, Omar Abdullah instructed the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department to carry out a comprehensive structural safety audit of the Municipal Committee shopping complex and all government buildings located along Nallah Sukhnag. He stressed that no commercial activity should be permitted in any structure unless it is declared safe by the concerned authorities.
The Chief Minister later reviewed the ongoing restoration work on the damaged diversion bridge over Nallah Sukhnag, which was washed away by floodwaters. He directed the concerned departments to speed up repair work to restore vehicular connectivity between Beerwah and Budgam at the earliest.
He also inspected the progress of the under-construction main motorable bridge over Nallah Sukhnag and emphasised the importance of maintaining quality standards while ensuring the timely completion of the project.
Reviewing the overall flood restoration efforts, Omar Abdullah instructed the district administration and line departments to prioritise the restoration of damaged roads, bridges, electricity supply, drinking water facilities, and other essential public services disrupted by the recent floods. He further directed all departments to remain on high alert and respond promptly to any emergencies arising from the prevailing weather conditions.
MLA Beerwah Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Aamir Khan, along with senior district officials and officers from various departments, accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspection visit.
