Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon Conducts On-Site Assessment of Cloudburst- and Flood-Affected Areas

Kargil, August 14, 2025: The Hon’ble Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, along with Executive Councillor Zakir Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar (IAS), and Councillor Chiktan Liyaqat Ali Khan, conducted an extensive field visit to several regions severely affected by the recent cloudburst and floods, including Khangral, Samrah Chiktan, Shakar Chiktan, Mundik, Bodhkharboo, and other affected areas nearby. The visit aimed at assessing damages and directing immediate restoration measures for essential services and infrastructure.
The Hon’ble CEC was accompanied by the SDM Shakar Chiktan, Executive Engineers of Irrigation & Flood Control, PDD, and PHE, Assistant Executive Engineers (R&B and Mechanical), the Block Development Officer Chiktan, the Chief Medical Officer, and other concerned authorities.
At Shakar Chiktan, officials noted damage to agricultural land, irrigation canals, and government buildings caused by heavy rains and the cloudburst. The CEC and DC instructed the SDM to form a committee led by SDM Shakar Chiktan comprising local members from the affected villages along with officers from all concerned departments. This committee will assess damages to nalas, agricultural fields, plantations, household properties, and local structures for both immediate restoration and long-term planning. The CEC prioritised the repair of a damaged irrigation canal (yurba) constructed under the Capex scheme, subject to available savings, and directed the BDO to restore smaller yurbas while the Executive Engineer I&FC would handle larger canals. The concerned departments were tasked with restoring electricity and drinking water supply.
In Khangral, Yokma Bodh Kharboo, and other affected areas, Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil directed concern department for temporary arrangements for supply drinking water via open wells and tankers. Road connectivity and irrigation canals were inspected, and necessary restoration measures were initiated.
At Chiktan, debris clearance from the Primary Health Centre and restoration of electricity and water connectivity were directed on priority. Several submerged roads were assessed, and immediate works were assessed. Households affected by water intrusion were inspected, and a committee was tasked with damage assessment and permanent restoration planning, while temporary measures under various schemes were ensured
The Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh kumar emphasised the need for sustainable restoration efforts, while Executive Councillor Zakir Hussain has also stressed comprehensive planning, including widening and concreting roads and strengthening structures near nallah trenches.
Both CEC and DC also engaged with locals in Chulichen Samrah, Purgu Samrah, and Kukarchey, directing the restoration of irrigation canals and inspection of affected bridges.
It was further decided that after 15 August, all affected areas will be comprehensively assessed by the SDM-led team, with necessary requirements provided to the affected communities. Temporary restoration of essential services will be taken up on priority to ensure immediate relief.
Additionally, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon requested the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, and Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, to declare the cloudburst- and flood-affected regions as “disaster areas” and to release immediate relief funds and financial assistance, particularly in view of the damage to agricultural fields, irrigation canals, and household properties during the crop ripening season.
The CEC reiterated LAHDC Kargil and UT administration’s commitment to prompt and sustainable restoration, ensuring the repair of essential services, infrastructure, and the welfare of affected communities.