CM Omar cancels Jammu plans to address Kashmir’s winter woes

Jammu, Dec 22: Amid the bone-chilling cold wave currently gripping Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday said that he would station himself in Srinagar for the next week to personally oversee the functioning of the Power Development Department (PDD) and other critical services.

CM Omar, who attended the pre-Budget and GST Council meetings in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, conveyed his decision through a series of tweets, emphasising his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the people of Kashmir during this severe cold spell.

Kashmir is currently experiencing one of the coldest winters in recent years, with temperatures plummeting to record-breaking lows.

Srinagar recently recorded a chilling minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, the coldest December night in over 50 years.

The intense cold spell has severely disrupted water supply and electricity, adding to the struggles of the residents.

In his posts on microblogging site X, the CM said: “In light of the severe cold spell in Kashmir and the resultant difficulties with water and electricity supply, I have decided to cancel my forthcoming programmes in Jammu and station myself in Srinagar for the next week to personally monitor the functioning of the Power Department and other important departments.”

Acknowledging the impact of his decision on his scheduled engagements in Jammu, he said, “I do appreciate that cancelling my programmes in Jammu will cause some inconvenience to the organisers and I regret it. However, under the circumstances, this is the right thing to do and I will make it up to the people and organisations whose programmes have been affected.”

The CM said that he was enroute from Jaisalmer and would be in Srinagar by Monday morning.

“I’m on my way back from Jaisalmer as I type and will be back in Srinagar tomorrow morning,” he posted.