Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 25: Three trucks were damaged in landslide on Mughal Road while at least 12 persons were rescued from flooded Ujh river in Kathua whereas, dozens of students remained stranded for long due to flooded Chhatral Nallah after heavy rain in Mendhar Sub Division of district Poonch today.
Reports from Poonch said that shooting stones and landslides damaged three trucks near Bafliaz on Mughal Road in Surankote area of district Poonch. However, no loss of life or injury was reported in the incident.
Official sources said that all the three trucks were coming from Shopian side in Kashmir and moving towards Jammu via Mughal Road and Poonch. The vehicles were parked near Police Naka at Bafliaz on Mughal Road. The drivers and helpers were not in the vehicles at that time and sitting at a tea stall.
Suddenly, shooting stones hit them during morning hours followed by landslides. The people ran for safety. All turned lucky as no one was hurt or received fatal injury in the mishap. The trucks damaged carry registration numbers as PB08BG- 3402, JK04E- 9172 and HR 61D- 1973. Their drivers were identified Gurdav Singh, son of Ajeet Singh, resident of Hoshiarpur in Punjab; Shakeel Ahmed, son of Mohd Latief, resident of Chanani in Udhampur and Chotu Ram, son of Badri Nath, resident of Ram Nagar in Udhampur.
Station House Officer, Surankote, Inspector Rajveer said that one of these trucks suffered major damage while the other two had minor damages in this incident. However, operators escaped with the grace of God.
Reports from Kathua said that due to heavy flood in Ujh river during morning hours on Monday at least a dozen people were trapped. An information was received through PCR Kathua that few persons were stuck in the sudden flash flood due to the heavy rainfall in hilly areas of Ghati and Billawar as a result of which sudden flood came in the Ujh river.
After receiving information Deputy Commissioner, Kathua and SSP issued directions to SDPO Border the SDRF teams to launch rescue operation. The teams assisted by police with the help of boat and ropes rescued all the 12 persons trapped in the middle of the river. They had gone to the middle of the river to graze their cattle and some to collect sand and gravel.
The police team from Rajbagh under the supervision of SDPO Border, Pankaj Soodan carried joint operation on the directions of SSP Kathua, RC Kotwal along with SDRF and rescued all the trapped persons including 7 ladies from the flash flood of Ujh river.
Those rescued were identified as Priya Devi (22), daughter of Ashok Kumar; Shivani Devi (18), daughter of Pappu Ram; Kamlesh Devi (45), wife of Pappu Ram; Veena Devi (55), wife of Lt. Ramesh Chander – all residents of Saktey Chak; Maskin Ali (17), son of Reham Ali; Alam Din (34), son of Amir Din; Shambi (45), wife of Lal Hussain; Shamim Akhter (17), daughter of Lal Hussain; Hasan (10), son of Tariq; Surmu (25), son of Mir Din and Googa (27), daughter of Mir Din- all residents of Rajbagh.
One more information was received at Police Station Kathua that one more person namely- Shiv Nand Singh (70), son of Lt. Jaswant Singh, resident of Ghati has been stuck in the Ujh River near Ghati.
Acting swiftly police team led by Insp. OP Chib, SHO Kathua under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Kathua, Shammi Kumar rescued the villager immediately.
In view of heavy rainfall in Kathua district, water level in most of the rivers/Nallahs was continuously rising. The people were advised by the District Administration to stay away and not to move towards any river/nallah and contact in case of any emergency at 100 or +919858034100.
Reports from Mendhar said that due to heavy rain during early morning hours in the area, most of the Nallahs and rivers were over flooded. School going students in remote villages in Mendhar sub-division risked their lives to reach school.
In Chhatral area of Mendhar a long culvert has been badly damaged and washed away due to heavy floods. Today, during morning hours this Nallah was over flooded due to which many students and locals of the area including government employees, remained stranded for hours and could not reach offices and schools.
Risking their lives many students specially girls reached schools very late. They were rescued by locals who made them to cross flooded Nallah. The people are demanding bridge over this large Nallah but authorities have yet to take cognizance of the matter. This road connects several villages and hamlets in Chhatral- Kalaban area.
Ajay Kapai, XEn PMGSY Mendhar, Sub Division when contacted, said that this PMGSY road / culvert get washed away every season and there was need of raising a bridge. He claimed that mater has been taken up with the higher authorities.
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