2 washed away in floods, 17 cattle die
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 21: Two persons were washed away in floods in district Reasi while 17 cattle were buried alive under a Kucha house in Kandi area of district Rajouri as over 4000 vehicles have been stranded on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway and the road continued to be blocked on second consecutive day today due to rain and landslides at several places in Ramban and Banihal sectors.
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The rain since Wednesday night in entire Jammu and Kashmir including Kashmir valley has wreaked havoc. The major rivers and nallahs are flooded while water logging in Srinagar and Jammu cities has affected the smooth movement of traffic. The drain and nallah water also entered many houses causing damage to the public property in Jammu areas. The rain in the winter capital city continued almost throughout the day today.
Official sources said that fresh landslides in Nashri, Mehar, Monkey Morh and nearly a dozen other places in Ramban and Banihal sectors since last night blocked the Jammu-Srinagar highway. On Thursday most of the areas except Panthyal sliding zone had been cleared by the National Highway authorities. But heavy rain again created problem and blocked the highway at several places. There was no movement of vehicles from Srinagar or Jammu side on the second day today.
Over 4000 vehicles have been stranded on the highway including Ramban, Banihal, Udhampur Bypass, Dhar Road, Mansar-Battal area and Nagrota Bypass area of Jammu besides Lower Munda, Qazigund and Anantnag area of Kashmir valley, the sources added.
SSP Traffic National Highway, J S Johar when contacted said that due to rain during last night and the day today, the landslides could not be cleared in Ramban sector. He said though some areas were cleared by the highway authorities yesterday but Panthyal and Monkey Morh area were giving trouble. Fresh landslides took place at Monkey Morh and even Mehar zone also remained disturbed. Nashri slide was cleared during the day but rain disrupted the restoration work. He said shooting stones at Maroog and Panthyal areas were yet a big hurdle, but it is hoped that with the improvement in weather tomorrow as predicted by MeT office, the road is likely to be restored tomorrow.
Johar further said that more vehicles have been stranded as the number of incoming vehicles from outside J&K is increasing every hour. In Ramban area, a large number of light and medium passenger vehicles have been stranded. The passengers and operators stranded at vulnerable places in Ramban and Ramsoo areas have been asked to move to the safer places. He, however, said that Batote- Kishtwar road was yet to be clared.
Reports from Reasi said that 70-year- old villager namely, Hablu, son of Mohammdu, resident of Bathoi village in Mahore was trapped in flood water while crossing Bathoi Nallah today. It was raining heavily in the area since last night. He was washed away in flash flood. Later, his head body was recovered about 500 mts down stream by the locals of the area.
Another report said that 30-year-old Mohan Singh, son of Late Prem Singh, resident of Sungri area washed away in flooded Anas river. The mishap took place when he was crossing the river. He was trapped in flash flood and washed away. The police and locals of the area were searching for his body.
SDPO Mahore, Khaliq Ashraf said that police team with the help of locals conducted search about 2 kms down stream but body could not be traced. Police Station Budhal and Kotranka have also been alerted over the matter, he added.
Ashraf further disclosed that the muddy house of one Qamar Din, son of Gullah, resident of Badder in Balmatkote area of Mahore in Reasi was collapsed due to rain. His 17 cattle including 13 goats buried alive under the debris and killed on the spot. The police team from Police Post Balmatkote visited the site and took cognizance of the matter. The locals have demanded relief for the poor family.
Reports said that Reasi-Mahore road remained blocked for about two hours due to land slides at Malai Nallah today but the road was later restored. Mahore-Chassana-Budhal road was also closed due to landslides. Udhampur-Ghordi-Barmeen Road continued to be blocked since yesterday and it could not be restored even by this evening.
Due to rain in the higher reaches of Jammu region, Chenab river was flowing near alert mark at Akhnoor. The water level was 30.2 ft at Akhnoor bridge at 6 pm this evening. At 2 pm, the water level at Akhnoor was 25.3 ft but after it, the level continued to rise. The river Tawi was also flooded during early morning hours, but water level started receding in the after noon.
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