Rain, landslides cause havoc, alert in 12 distts
*Schools closed in Poonch, Udhampur
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: Scores of houses and cattle-sheds collapsed due to heavy rain and landslides in the region since last night while two cars and several bikes suffered damage as an Army wall collapsed in Rajouri town today.
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The MeT office has issued flood/ landslide alert in 12 districts of the Jammu and Kashmir and heavy rain in Jammu region from July 22 to 25. It predicted landslides and closure of several roads during next 2-3 days.
In view of the inclement weather conditions, the district administration Poonch ordered closure of Government and private schools in the district for the second consecutive day on July 23 while Udhampur district administration also ordered closure of schools on July 23.
The landslides blocked Jammu-Poonch and Reasi-Mahore roads besides several other link roads. However, the roads were cleared after some time.
A MeT official said that they have already issued a weather alert for July 22 to 25, with the warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated to scattered places in the Jammu division.
He stated that on July 23, there will be intermittent spells of light to moderate rain, thunder, and gusty winds at many places, along with intense showers and heavy to very heavy rain at isolated to scattered locations in the Jammu division.
On July 24, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy at some places, with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places. Intense showers and heavy rain are also likely at isolated locations across Jammu and Kashmir.
He further added that from July 25 to 27, the weather will turn hot and humid, with the possibility of brief showers at a few places. From July 28 to 30, fresh spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at many locations.
In an advisory, the weather department warned of the possibility of flash floods at some vulnerable locations, along with landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, a rise in water levels in water bodies, and water-logging in some low-lying areas.
Reports from Rajouri said that at least 26 houses and four cattle-shed were partially/fully damaged in Kalakote area since last night.
ADC Kalakote, Tanveer Khan said that on the directions of DC Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, he moved to the affected areas along with Tehsildar and other officials and shifted seven families to MC complex Kalakote while at some other places the families were accommodated in the neighbourhood. These families were being provided immediate assistance from the administration. He said no loss of human lives has been reported but at some places people have lost their livestock. The detail was being compiled, he added.
In Manjakote area of Rajouri, a JCB fell down into a gorge while clearing landslides at a point on the highway. The driver jumped to the safety with minor injuries. The road caved in due to heavy rain and JCB rolled down. A link road from Manjakote to Khablan was damaged after landslide and a wide crack has been developed on the road in the nearby area, snapping traffic movement.
In Mendhar, Mandi and Surankote areas of Poonch also at least 20-25 houses /cattle- sheds were partially/fully damaged in the rain since last evening. Some more details are being received from the far flung and remote areas of the district, an official said.
He said as predicted by the MeT office, there was intermittent rainfall in Poonch since mid night. A major landslide closed Jammu-Poonch National Highway at Kalai area for more than two hours. The concerned agency cleared the road and traffic was resumed.
The landslides also occurred at a few other roads including Mandi-Phagla and some more link roads which were cleared by the concerned department by this evening. A major rock fell and damaged Petrol Pump, its infrastructure near Bawli, Nangali Sahab area in Poonch.
Tehsildar Haveli, Azhar Majid said that information of partially damages to 10-15 houses have been received. Some link roads were closed due to land-slides but they were thrown open after some time. SDM Surankote Farooq Khan Nazki said that fortunately no major losses were reported in their jurisdiction though one Kacha house was damaged fully, and cracks were developed in 4-5 houses due to slides.
In yet another unfortunate incident at around 7:00 AM in Mahore area of Reasi a Kucha house belonging to Mohd Yousuf, son of Abdul Rehman, resident of Adbash, Ward No. 4, tehsil Mahore, collapsed due to continuous rainfall in the region. The collapse resulted in the tragic death of a buffalo and a calf.
The Reasi- Mahore road was also blocked due to landslide at Malai Nallah, the reports said.
Due to bad weather and rain the chopper service to Katra Mata Vaishnodevi also remained suspended for several hours in the morning. The service resumed in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a flash flood warning of a low to moderate risk of flash floods in 12 districts of J&K, including Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla and Anantnag, for the next 24 hours.
In response, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) have been urged to take necessary precautions and measures as per established protocols to ensure public safety and mitigate risks.
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