‘No need to hoard’: Omar’s word of caution as Ramban flash floods cause scramble for essentials
In the wake of flash floods and landslides in Jammu’s Ramban district, the national highway between Jammu and Srinagar remained closed Monday. With traffic remaining suspended, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that efforts are on to restore the highway and also warned against hoarding and black-marketing.
The highway is key to bringing essential items including fuel into Kashmir. The cloudburst and subsequent landslides washed away a part of this road on Sunday. “Reports from Ramban suggest that the situation is not good, especially around the highway. The Deputy CM and local MLAs are also present in this area. Efforts are on to restore the highway. Along with that we are also bringing relief to the residential areas affected by the landslides,” the CM said, before leaving for Ramban from Srinagar.
Three people were killed in the Ramban area due to the floods. Several parts of the Union Territory have been hit by torrential rain, high-velocity wind, lightning and hail since Saturday evening. Scores of houses, commercial establishments and vehicles have been damaged. Inclement weather continued to affect some areas of both Kashmir and Jammu region Monday.
Meanwhile, Omar said that the NDRF has been sent to the area and “we are also talking to the Centre to tap into the PM’s Relief Fund.”
Assuring residents that there is no need to hoard essentials, Omar said that the government has issued “clear directions” to its officers to take strict action wherever there are reports of black marketing. “I also want to inform the people to bring such practices to the notice of the government so that action can be taken against them,” he said.
While Jammu-Srinagar highway is closed, the alternate route to Kashmir via the Mughal Road is open, he said. “If needed, we can use that to bring essential items to Srinagar. For now, I believe the main highway will be opened in 2-3 days,” he said.
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