Jammu, July 24: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday said the Central Government is extending all necessary assistance to Jammu and Kashmir and other affected States and Union Territories to tackle the challenges arising from heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts during the ongoing monsoon season.
In an official statement, the MHA said the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is proactively monitoring the monsoon situation across the country and ensuring timely support to all affected regions.
The Ministry stated that comprehensive assistance is being provided to Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu to effectively deal with the impact of heavy rains, floods and landslides.
The MHA recalled that it had convened a high-level review meeting on June 3 to assess preparedness for heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir, following an earlier nationwide preparedness review chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah on May 10.
The statement comes as Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed severe weather over the past week, with flash floods and incessant rains claiming over two dozen lives while causing widespread destruction to homes, shops, vehicles, roads and other public infrastructure. Several stretches of National Highway-44 and other major roads have also remained affected due to landslides and shooting stones.
Officials said this is the first major spell of monsoon rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir this season, and the administration has intensified preparedness measures to minimize loss of life and infrastructure damage during the remaining monsoon period.
Recalling last year’s devastation, the MHA noted that the 2025 monsoon also caused significant damage in Jammu and Kashmir, including fatalities along the Machail Mata shrine route in Kishtwar and the Adh Kunwari stretch of the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, besides extensive losses to public and private infrastructure.
The Ministry said its Integrated Control Room (ICR-ER) is functioning round the clock in close coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to issue timely weather alerts to State and District Emergency Operation Centres while continuously monitoring rescue operations.
Highlighting relief efforts, the MHA said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been working tirelessly alongside the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), State Police and other agencies to carry out rescue and evacuation operations in affected areas.
According to the Ministry, NDRF teams were pre-positioned at vulnerable locations to ensure a swift response. During the past week, 52 people were rescued, while 2,206 civilians were safely evacuated to secure locations across the affected States and Union Territories.
The Ministry further said that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has also mobilized its resources in coordination with the MHA to assist rescue agencies by transporting personnel and relief material, besides helping stranded residents.
The MHA added that despite disruptions caused by recent rainfall in several States, the monsoon has significantly improved the overall rainfall situation across the country by reducing the earlier projected rainfall deficit from nearly 30 per cent to around 15 per cent.
The Ministry reiterated that the Centre remains committed to providing every possible support to States and Union Territories to ensure timely rescue, relief and disaster management during the ongoing monsoon season. (KNC)
