Amit Shah likely to visit Jammu on August 31

Jammu, Aug 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Jammu on August 31 to get a first-hand appraisal of the unprecedented devastation caused by recent heavy-rains induced flash floods, landslides, and soil erosion across the division.

Though officially, there was no confirmation vis-à-vis his visit schedule yet, as per the tentative itinerary in circulation, it is likely to be a two-day visit wherein he may also visit Katra, which witnessed a disastrous landslide incident claiming 34 lives on August 26.

He may have an aerial survey of devastation caused by floods, damaging even critical infrastructure, including crucial bridges, rendering connectivity as the major casualty.

“However, this itinerary is subject to weather conditions,” warned an official source.

BJP sources remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying the information. “So far, we don’t have a schedule. We have also learnt about it (visit) through media reports. Yes, the top leadership of the party is very concerned about the situation that emerged after devastating heavy rains, floods across the Jammu division. Both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister were personally monitoring the situation and were in touch with the J&K administration and party leadership,” a senior leader, sharing anonymity, said.

Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha left for the union capital this evening, amid an increasing chorus for a central relief package for flood-ravaged J&K.

It is presumed that he will apprise the central leadership about the updated status.