Rains lash J&K, erratic weather forecast till May 4
Gopal Sharma/ Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Apr 27: A youth was killed and another seriously injured after a boulder fell on a house in Kishtwar area during wee hours today while a driver and co-driver were injured when a truck rolled down along with massive landslide on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Banihal area this evening.
Official sources said that a teenager was killed after a massive boulder rolled down a hill during a rain-triggered landslide and hit his house in Kishtwar district early today.
Two people were trapped under the debris of the house. While 19-year-old Arshad was killed in the incident, Rashid (17) was rescued, they said.
The officials said the other occupants of the house are safe. The incident took place between 3:30 am and 4 am in Thakurai area.
Loyedhar Sarpanch Mohd Rafi Shah said the village is located at the foot of the hill and there is always the threat of boulders rolling down during a landslide. There was a major incident some years ago and now again there has been one, he said and demanded that the Government must take some measures for the safety of the people.
The Sarpanch further said heavy boulders rolled down from the hill which first hit the cowsheds of Nazir Ahmad Shah, son of Shabbir Ahmad Shah and Ghulam Mohd Shah, son of Shabbir Ahmad Shah. Though all the cattle were unhurt but structures were damaged . Meanwhile, a huge boulder fell on the house of Mohammad Iqbal Ganai, son of Abdul Hameed Ganai. His two sons, 19-year-old Arshad and 17-year-old Rashid came under the debris.
Immediately after the incident locals started the rescue operation and police were also informed. Though Rashid was taken out safely but Arshad had died before being retrieved from the debris. His body was brought to the district hospital Kishtwar and after post-mortem and clearing legal formalities the body was handed over to the relatives.
District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Dr Devansh Yadav informed that for the time being the affected family has been lodged in the nearby Dak Bungalow. Relief material and some financial assistance has also been provided from the Red Cross. All the arrangements for which are being made through Red Cross.
Reacting to the concern of locals, the DC told that they have deputed a team of Geologist for detailed study of the area and based on their report further decision will be taken.
In another incident, residential house of Babu Ram, son of Amar Chand in Kuntwara area of Kishtwar came under slide and was fully damaged along with household items kept in side. No loss of life was reported in this incident .
Reports from Ramban said that a moving truck rolled down along with landslides near Shabanbas village about 3 kms short of Banihal town this evening. The vehicle loaded with chickens was on way to Kashmir from Punjab. The driver Jaswant Raj (35) and co-driver Narinder Singh (45), hailing from Pathankote jumped out from the vehicle but were later rescued by the locals and police teams in injured condition from the debris. They were admitted to Banihal hospital and later shifted to Srinagar. The vehicle was still under the debris in the deep Nallah.
The traffic on the highway remained suspended for about two hours and was later diverted through a newly constructed bridge.
Due to rain during last night in Ramban sector, the Jammu-Srinagar highway remained blocked since midnight up to 9.15 am today. The disruption was also witnessed during the day. The land and mud slides at Mehar, Cafeteria Morh and Sher Bibi created blockades. The highway could be restored after 10 hours, the officials said.
Reports said due to single passage created at several places, long traffic jams were created in Ramban sector for 3-4 hours during the day today and the commuters had to face tough time. The smooth traffic movement was restored after clearing bottle necks, the sources said.
Meanwhile, intermittent rains lashed many parts of J&K today while night temperature stayed below normal in many parts of Kashmir today and Weatherman has forecast “erratic weather” till May 4.
There were heavy rains overnight and this evening in Kashmir leading to drop in the temperatures. The hills also had fresh snowfall with authorities issuing avalanche warning in the hills of Ganderbal district.
The MeT department has predicted that weather was likely to remain “erratic” till May 4.
“From April 27-30, the official said, intermittent rain, thunderstorm and snowfall (over higher reaches) was very likely at most places of J&K”. However, he said, there is no forecast of major snowfall.
From April 29-30, he said, weather is likely to be partly to generally cloudy with possibility of intermittent rain, thunderstorm at scattered places.
“Overall, weather is very likely to remain erratic from April 27-May 4 in J&K,” he said. Also, the department has urged farmers to postpone spraying of orchards till May 4.
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) today issued an avalanche warning for the Ganderbal district during the next 24 hours.
“Avalanche with a low danger level is likely to occur above 2800 metres above sea level over the Ganderbal district in the next 24 hours,” the official statement said.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas till further orders,” JKDMA said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of 7.0°C against 7.9°C the previous night and it was 2.3°C below normal for the city.
Qazigund recorded a low of 6.6°C against 5.2°C the previous night and it was 1.2°C below normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.5°C against 2.6°C previous night and it was 0.9°C below normal for the famous tourist resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of 5.2°C against 3.0°C the previous night and it was 2.9°C below normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against 3.2°C previous night and it was 4.7°C below normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 3.4°C against 5.2°C the previous night and it was 4.4°C below normal for the town.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of 2.6°C and minus 3.5°C respectively.
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