Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, June 7: Massive thunder and windstorm which wrecked havoc across Jammu region last evening, claimed life of six persons including two members of a family while about three dozen cattle perished in the devastating storm.
High velocity winds uprooted many trees, resulting into the blockade of many roads across the region, snapping of power supply in some districts and tehsils while fruit trees in Dudu-Basantgarh, Lati, Chenani, Ramnagar, parts of Rajouri and Reasi and besides Bani area of Kathua also suffered huge damage. The mango trees laden with fruit also suffered damage in most parts of Jammu region including Akhnoor, Nagrota, Samba, Kathua, Billawar and Basohli belts.
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A top PDD officer told that hundreds of electric poles have been uprooted and cables broken in the region besides massive damage caused to the power infrastructure with wind storm and heavy rain last night. He said while in many urban areas the power supply has been restored and the work was going on, in other affected rural areas. Many transformers have also gone out of order during devastating thunder storm last evening.
Reports from Udhampur said that two villagers and about their two dozen sheep and goats were killed during massive windstorm as trees fell on them in the higher reaches of Dudu last evening. They were returning to their homes at Laap when the incident took place.
While the dead body of Khem Raj (45), son of Ramalu, resident of Laap was recovered after long search by the family members during late last night, another shepherd, Hem Raj alias Munna, son of Guran Ditta of the same village went missing along with his cattle. His dead body was traced this afternoon. He had been trapped under a large fallen tree along with his about a dozen goats and sheep.
Four buffaloes of one Mohammad Hussain, son of Musa Gujjar, resident of Gawad village in Dudu were killed as a tree fell on their cattle shed. His another cattle was critically injured.
The dead bodies of the villagers were later brought to the PHC, Dudu for post mortem and later handed over to the families for last rites today. More than 60 houses including Government school buildings have been damaged in Marothi, Latti and Dudu belt. The apple, walnut and apricot trees have suffered extensive damage. The tin roofs of about half a dozen Government buildings have also suffered damage, a senior officer said.
Another report from Ramnagar said that about 200 houses were damaged and one person was killed after a tree fell on him at Ghordi village last night. The deceased was identified Kalidass (40), son of Amru Ram, resident of Bindla village near Ghordi. A big trees got uprooted during storm and fell on him, resulting into his on the spot death.
Tehsildar Ramnagar, Ramesh Singh confirmed that due to massive windstorm and heavy rain during last late evening about 194 houses have been fully and partially damaged in the whole tehsil while one death has also been reported. He said further reports of damage are still pouring in.
A headmaster and teacher at Govt Middle School Sainga in Pancheri had a miraculous escape when the tin root got uprooted. Ravi Kumar and his wife ( teacher) were there in the school complex when its root top suffered damage. The villagers rushed to the area and rescued the couple. Moungri school also suffered partial damage. About a two dozen other houses were also partially damaged in the area.
Reports from Reasi said that one person was killed while at least 150 houses were damaged in Pouni, Arnas, Bidda, Talwara, and Mahore areas due to storm. A villager namely Khan (24), son of Ali Mohd, resident of Barneli village in Arnas was killed due to lightning. He was returning home during thunder storm.
A strong beam from the sky hit him, killing on the spot. DC Reasi, Ravinder Kumar has however, projected the figure of about 200 damaged houses in district Reasi. The infrastructure/ sheds of AFCON company engaged in the construction of railway bridge in Kouri area of Reasi was also badly damaged. Some of the structures fell down into the river Chenab, a senior Company official said.
Reports from Rajouri said that one Muneer Hussain (44) and his seven year old daughter, Shaheen Akhtar were killed at Gabbar Dhok near Targain village in Budhal last night. Their nearly a dozen cattle also perished in the lightning during thunder storm. The police and villagers of the area today brought their bodies to their home at Targain and performed last rites.
Reports from Kathua said that over 40 houses in Bani Sub Division were damaged over night due to windstorm. While six houses were damaged fully, about 34 others partially, SDM Ajit Singh said.
He further disclosed that fruit trees have also suffered massive damage while power supply to whole sub division has remained snapped since yesterday. The reports of damage have also received from Lohai Malhar and Machhedi areas. The power supply to many parts of Billawar and Basohli has also been affected.
Chief Engineer PDD, M&RE Jammu Ashwani Gupta said that about two dozen electric transformers have been damaged, while more than hundred of poles have been uprooted. Due to falling of trees , the cables have also been damaged at many places. He said the loss to the PDD infrastructure is being assessed.
Gupta claimed that in Jammu city the power has almost been restored, while the restoration work in rural and semi-urban area was going on. He said that PHE stations/ supply points and hospitals are the priority of the department. Within 2-3 days, the power supply will be fully restored, he added.
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