Fresh heavy rains in Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas have caused havoc. Apart from accumulation of ten feet deep water at several places and throwing roads and traffic out of gear, sizeable damage has been done to houses. Particularly in North Kashmir in the district of Kupwara, a number of residential houses collapsed. In many cases the denizens had close shave with death as they escaped the collapsing rooftops. Traffic on National Highway has remained suspended owing to landslides at three places between Banihal and Ramsu. Also a portion of the railway track of Banihal-Qazigund line has suffered damage and rail traffic has been suspended.
We need to induce the Disaster Management organization to intensify its forewarning campaign because it has been found that landslides frequently come down on villages that stand close to the foothill. Also medical relief assistance should be easily available to the flood sufferers. The PHE Department should deploy more dewatering units to dry up the water that is stagnant on the streets as it can breed bacteria injurious to health. Government should galvanize full relief machinery in meeting this natural calamity.
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