Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, June 11: After intense hot weather for the last one week, the people of Jammu region had a big relief with pre-monsoon rain and thunder showers of this season this afternoon while heavy rain, hail storm and flash- flood created havoc in many areas as Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked after fresh land slides near Ramban and Bali Nallah.
At least eight villagers who were trapped in flash flood in a nallah at Surankot in Poonch, were rescued by Police and Army men in joint operation this evening while flooded drain water created devastation in Mendhar town, especially in the main market. The water entered many shops and houses, inviting strong protest from the general public and road blockade for over an hour.
Wind storm in plain areas of Jammu uprooted many trees and caused damage to electric wires and poles while hail storm in Thana Mandi, Bafliaz, Mandi-Loran, Budhal and some hilly areas of Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua caused damage to the crop and new fruits trees. The power supply has also been badly affected in many areas due to wind storm.
In parts of Kashmir also the tourists and locals had some relief from the hot weather during this evening as the mercury had been 32 to 34 degree Celsius in last few days, nearly five notches above normal day temperature. A few hilly areas of Kashmir witnessed down power this evening.
A sharp fall in the mercury has been witnessed throughout the region since this afternoon. Jammu’s temperature has also shown a steep decline. During thunder shower, many children were seen enjoying pre-monsoon showers in the open in the winter capital city. It was near darkness here during the day at around 4 pm as the sky was overcast with thick and dark clouds. The vehicles were seen using lights on the roads.
A Met official disclosed that Srinagar witnessed the maximum temperature of 33.1 degree Celsius and minimum 21 degree C while Jammu witnessed 40.5 degree C day temperature and 33.6 degree night temperature. Udhampur city had day temperature of 37.4 degree C and night temperature 28 degree Celsius. The Met official predicted rain and thunder shower in many places of Kashmir and Jammu region in next 24 hours while gutsy winds may hit some islolated areas in the State.
Reports from Ramban said that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed due to land slides in Seri area and two more points near Ramban at around 3 pm. The men and machinery of the GREF tried to clear the road and also made way for one way traffic after two hour work but again due to rains, the road was blocked. The work was going on when the reports were received here late this evening.
Land slides also struck the highway near Bali Nallah and Samroli between Udhampur and Kud this afternoon after heavy downpour. The road was cleared after three hours but massive traffic jam created big problem for the passengers travelling on either side of the highway between Udhampur and Kud-Batote. With heavy rain in Billawar and Basohi area, Bani road has also been closed near Magiar.
A report from Poonch said that at least eight persons were trapped in Sunai nalla at Surankot due to flash flood. The villagers assisted by Army and police rescued the villagers using ropes in one hour operation. All of them were brought to the bank safely. Three of them had been washed away but were saved with prompt action by force men. They were identified as Sajid Ahmed , Imtiaz Ahmed and Nassir Ahmed from Sunai village of Surankote.
A senior Traffic Police officer said that men and machinery of GREF was on the job and the Highway will be cleared shortly. He said debris from Samroli and Bali Nallah area have been cleared and traffic restored while the work in Ramban area was going on.
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