SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The toll in the incessant rains and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir today rose to 20, even as 45 others were feared dead after a bus carrying them was washed away in Rajouri district.
“So far 20 deaths have been reported in the state due to heavy rains and floods,” Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather told reporters at a joint press conference with Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in Srinagar.
Giving the breakup of the figures, Rather said two deaths each have been reported from Anantnag, Baramulla and Budgam districts in Kashmir Valley and seven from Poonch, six from Reasi and one from Doda in Jammu region.
He said a bus carrying nearly 50 people, mostly members of a marriage party, was washed away in flash floods of Gambhir river in Rajouri district in Jammu region.
He said while three persons had been rescued till now, around 45 people are feared dead. Rescue efforts were on till late evening, he said.
Rather said 150 houses have been damaged in the floods.
“More than 50 houses are submerged in Anantnag district. 15 villages in Kulgam district are also inundated,” he said.
The Minister said around 1,500 people were trapped in Asthal village in Kulgam and steps were being taken for their safety.
Rather said the State Government has requisitioned helicopter services, but the choppers could not operate due to bad weather.
“Army and State Disaster Response Force are helping in rescue operations,” he said.
He said many water bodies were flowing above danger mark and many areas were inundated.
“The river Jhelum is flowing seven feet above the danger mark at Sangam in south Kashmir and Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar,” he said.
The minister said a breach occurred at Kandizal area of Budgam, but it was plugged timely, saving 70,000 people from inundation.
“Many streams like Lidder in Pahalgam, Veshav, Rambiara, Feroz Nallah are flowing above danger mark and have inundated and damaged areas along their banks, affecting 70 villages,” Rather said, adding the water discharge was at 70,000 cusecs against the normal of 25,000 cusecs.
He said Chenab river in Akhnoor area of Jammu division is flowing four feet above the danger level.
The minister said 500 water supply schemes have been disrupted in the Valley with Anantnag, Baramulla, Kulgam and Shopian bearing the worst brunt.
He said a meeting of the State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah deferred the normal agenda and sanctioned Rs 20 crore for rescue and relief operations.
Rather said the State Government has sought an NDRF team from the Centre and the personnel were already on their way to the State.
The Deputy Chief Minister said, “Our first priority is to ensure safety of the people and provide them proper shelter and other arrangements.”
He said the local administration was taking all necessary steps to provide relief to the people in the areas which have been cut-off from the rest of the state.
He said the Government has announced closure of all educational institutions for three days.
In Jammu, police said Army Sepoy Balbir Singh was washed away during a rescue operation in Poonch today.
A BSF officer was buried alive yesterday in the district which was hit by landslides triggered by flash floods.
The State Government issued a red alert in Jammu region where most of the rivers are flowing above danger mark.
As many as 128 people have been rescued in various areas by Army teams, taking the total number of those evacuated since yesterday to 236, a Defence spokesman said.
Apart from BSF officer Inspector Mohammad Rashid, two persons were killed in Poonch and five others, including three children, lost their lives in Reasi district yesterday.
Over 100 houses and buildings have suffered damage in Rajouri and Udhampur districts, official reports said.
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed along with several inter-districts road in Doda, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch districts due to floods, the reports added.
Some Vaishnodevi pilgrims were injured in landslides in the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district, officials said.
Authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions today and tomorrow in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
A control room has been set up at Ramban district headquarters and all Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars have been asked not to leave their headquarters.
District authorities in Rajouri have asked people not to venture near swollen rivers. (AGENCIES)
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