Ramban, April 21 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the devastation caused by flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain and cloudbursts in Ramban district could not be declared a "national disaster", even as he assured adequate relief to the affected families.

Abdullah was speaking to reporters at Kela Morh, a few kilometres from the Ramban district headquarters along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The highway was shut for a second consecutive day due to multiple landslides in the area.

The chief minister was supposed to visit the flood- and landslide-hit villages in Ramban town but had to return to Srinagar due to the approach road being washed away. He promised to tour the villages on Tuesda...