Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, September 8, 2025: An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), deployed by the Union Government, visited Budgam district to evaluate the extensive damages caused by recent flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides. The team, led by Col. K.P. Singh, Joint Secretary & Advisor (Ops & Comm), NDMA, included senior officials from various ministries, such as Ramavtar Meena (Director, MoRD), Shachi Jain (Director, Ministry of Jal Shakti), Navin Kumar Chaurasia (Regional Officer, MoRTH), Dr. Vikrant Singh (Joint Director, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare), Aarti Singh (Deputy Director, Ministry of Power), and Mahesh Kumar (Deputy Director, Ministry of Finance).The IMCT conducted a comprehensive review meeting at the New Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Budgam, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (IAS).
The meeting was attended by senior officers from key departments, including PWD (R&B), Jal Shakti (PHE), Irrigation & Flood Control, KPDCL, PMGSY, Health, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, FSC, and Revenue. Dr. Bhat presented a detailed overview of the flood situation, highlighting affected areas such as B.K. Pora, Bemina, Shalina, Rakh Shalina, Baghi Shakurshah, Seerbagh, Summerbugh, and Zoonipora. He noted significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, irrigation canals, and power supply lines.The DC outlined ongoing relief efforts, including the establishment of a 24×7 Control Room for real-time monitoring, provision of ration supplies, potable drinking water via tankers, medical aid, and relocation of vulnerable families to designated rescue centers. Dr. Bhat also addressed critical challenges, such as a shortage of inflatable boats, communication failures, Jhelum embankment stabilization issues, mining-related problems, and backflow from the Flood Spill Channel in Bemina. He proposed long-term resilience measures, including mapping weak spots, embankment stabilization, regular dredging, setting up de-watering stations at Shalina, installing early warning systems and rain gauges in upper reaches, and constructing gates on Bemina Nallah and the Flood Spill-over Channel.Following the review, the IMCT, accompanied by Dr. Bhat and MLA Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar, conducted field visits to flood-affected areas in the B.K. Pora block, inspecting restoration efforts at Shalina, Panzan Bridge, Bus Adda Chadoora, and other sites. The team interacted with residents to assess immediate needs and evaluate ongoing restoration progress.
The IMCT directed district authorities to compile department-wise damage reports for submission to the Government of India to facilitate further relief and reconstruction support.“Relief, restoration, and long-term resilience measures are underway,” a district administration spokesperson stated, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between central and local authorities to mitigate the impact of the disaster and ensure the safety and well-being of Budgam’s residents.The IMCT’s visit underscores the Central Government’s commitment to supporting flood-affected regions, with the Ministry of Home Affairs releasing ₹5,858.60 crore to 14 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, for disaster response through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
