Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced ex-gratia assistance from the CM’s Relief Fund for families affected by the cloudburst in Kathua on Sunday, in addition to support from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while those severely injured will get Rs 1 lakh and minor injuries will be compensated with Rs 50,000. For damaged houses, fully destroyed homes will receive Rs 1 lakh, severely damaged houses Rs 50,000, and partially damaged homes Rs 25,000.
The chief minister said the assistance aims to provide immediate relief and help affected families rebuild their lives.
The Kathua cloudburst comes just days after a devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar, which killed at least 65 people, injured over 100, and left dozens missing during the annual Machail Mata pilgrimage in Chisoti village.
Kathua district, located in the southern part of Jammu and Kashmir, is prone to flash floods and landslides during heavy rains due to its hilly terrain.
Kishtwar, situated in the Chenab Valley, also faces similar risks, with fragile Himalayan slopes making the region vulnerable to sudden cloudbursts and floods.
