Gulam Ali expresses concern over J&K rains, seeks swift relief and restoration

JAMMU: Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Gulam Ali Khatana on Sunday expressed deep concern over the havoc caused by incessant rains in Jammu and Kashmir, which have damaged vital infrastructure, flooded residential areas, and disrupted daily life across several districts.

Referring to the collapse of a key bridge on the Jammu–Pathankot national highway in Kathua, Khatana said the incident highlights the scale of the crisis. “The destruction of bridges, flooding of homes, and landslides cutting off key roads are extremely worrying developments. Urgent measures are needed to restore connectivity and protect vulnerable families,” he said.

The downpour has been historic — Jammu recorded 190.4 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, the second-highest August rainfall in nearly a century. Low-lying areas in Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tilloo, Jewel Chowk and Sanjay Nagar were inundated, with boundary walls collapsing and vehicles swept away. Udhampur (144.2 mm), Katra (115 mm), Samba (109 mm) and Kathua (90.2 mm) also reported heavy rainfall.

Khatana urged the administration to intensify relief operations and ensure that people living near the Ujh, Ravi, Chenab and Tawi rivers are given timely assistance. “Authorities must stay on highest alert, and citizens must strictly follow safety advisories. This is not the time for risk-taking; lives must be prioritised,” he stressed. With the weather office warning of more rain until August 27, the MP also called for long-term resilience planning, including stronger flood-control systems and durable infrastructure in the Himalayan region.