'11 Years Wasted': CM Omar Slams Post-2014 Govts For Failing To Prevent Recurring Floods In Kashmir

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 22:26 IST

CM Omar Abdullah hit out at those who were at the helm of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir after 2014 floods, saying they did nothing to ensure floods do not recur in the valley.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah addresses the gathering during the 79th Independence Day celebration, at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on August 15. (Image: PTI/S Irfan)

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday criticised those who led Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the 2014 floods, accusing them of failing to take any steps to prevent a recurrence in the valley.

Abdullah said the past 11 years were “wasted" and asserted that the situation would have been different if the Jhelum river and its flood channel had been dredged.

“We will have to ask questions about what was done after the 2014 floods in Kashmir. Those who were ruling here have done nothing that would have ensured floods do not recur," news agency PTI quoted Abdullah as telling reporters after visiting the flood-hit Lasjan area of the city.

River Jhelum spilt over its banks at Shalina in Budgam district in the early hours of Thursday, leading to flooding of several low-lying areas.

The chief minister stated that timely action by the administration, including the evacuation of residents from flood-hit areas, ensured that no lives were lost.

“Thankfully, there is no loss of life due to timely action by the administration, but there is property damage, which should not have been the case. If Jhelum and the flood channel had been dredged during the past 11 years, we would not have faced this situation," he added.

Abdullah said he would write a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to send a team to Kashmir to assess the losses due to floods.

“A team from the Centre is coming to assess losses in the 10 districts of the Jammu division. I will be writing a letter to the Home Minister to send the same team to Kashmir as well for assessing the losses due to floods in the valley districts," he said.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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News india '11 Years Wasted': CM Omar Slams Post-2014 Govts For Failing To Prevent Recurring Floods In Kashmir

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