Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 5: With 38 more deaths in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and Doda areas, the death toll in rains and floods in last three days in Jammu region has reached 128 while marriage party bus which remained trapped in flooded nallah in Nowshera since Thursday, was dragged out by Army cranes this evening with 14 dead bodies trapped inside whereas, Air Force, Army and police rescued over 2000 persons trapped at various places in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Akhnoor, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Ramban and Kishtwar today.
High alert has been sounded by the Divisional Administration in many areas of Akhnoor, Jammu, Poonch, Kathua, Samba and Rajouri as many rivers including Chenab, Tawi, Ujh and Basantar were flowing above danger mark. Army and Air Force besides State Police has launched massive rescue operation in coordination with the respective district administrations. Mighty river Chenab was flowing, nearly 16 feet above the danger mark. River Tawi also crossed danger mark of 17 ft today. In the morning, the water level was recorded 3 ft above danger mark and in the afternoon the water level started receding. The people from about a dozen villages in Akhnoor, Jourian, Pargwal and Khour area were evacuated to safer places and most of them were accommodated in Govt Schools and other buildings at Jourian, Akhnoor and Khour. Indian Air Force choppers evacuated about 109 trapped persons from Jammu, Pargwal and Akhnoor areas today.
Defence Ministry (MoD) spokesman Col S D Goswami said Army has so for rescued 6000 trapped Civilians from various flood ravaged areas of Jammu and Kashmir while putting their lives to risk.
A bus of marriage party, which remained trapped in flood water of Jameer Nallah in Lam area of Nowshera since yesterday, was retrieved by the Army and police with the help of cranes at around 7 pm today. The villagers, relatives of the victims, army and some policemen remained at the site throughout the night. The district administration today confirmed the death of about 63 ‘Baratis’ in the tragedy as per list provided by their family members. Driver of the bus has also washed away in the flood. While fourteen bodies were found trapped in the bus, 11 others were recovered during the search operation along the banks of the nallah by Army, police and villagers today.
SSP Rajouri, Mubassar Latiffi said that there were total 67 passengers in the bus, four survived while 63 washed away. Of the total 63, dead bodies of 11 were recovered from the down stream during search operation today. 14 bodies were found trapped in the bus. 38 members of marriage party including bridegroom and bus driver were still missing. He said search operation will be resumed tomorrow again. Large nets have been fixed down stream at Ghari and Brevi by Army to trap bodies. The postmortem of bodies were conducted on the spot as the doctors team along with BMO was there and the bodies were later handed over to their respective families.
The incessant rains and floods all over the region has thrown life out of gear. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Jammu-Poonch, Mughal Road, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar and many other roads have been blocked due to land slides and damage caused to roads and bridges. Many vehicles have been stranded at various places. Power and water supply to Poonch, Rajouri and many parts of Banihal, Ramban, Reasi, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Bani, Basohli, Billawar and Mahore has been snapped. For the last three days, entire Poonch district is without power supply.
SSP Poonch, Shamsheer Hussain said that in district Poonch 12 more deaths have taken place in various areas of the district taking the toll to 19. Four persons were killed as a Kutcha house (Dhok) at higher reaches of Saujian in Mandi tehsil collapsed today. They deceased are identified as Said Mohd, son of Ali Mohd, Biba Bi, wife of Ali Mohd, Sagira Bi, wife of Israr Khan and Ghulam Qadir, son of Ahmed Dar. Five members of a family were buried alive in a Dhok at the higher reaches of Hill Kaka in Surankote. Their bodies could not be retrieved till late this evening. The police party along with nomads of the area has been sent there. Three persons were killed in Khet area of Mandi.
The Administration evacuated nearly 400 persons from various areas including Shanker Mohalla, Azad Mohalla and Sukka Katha area near Nangali Sahib today. The main land link to Poonch has been snapped for the last two days all the rods have been closed and portion of Sher-e-Kashmir bridge washed away. Due to land slide near Lasana, Poonch –Surankote link has also been snapped. Nearly 150 persons were rescued and evacuated from Shanker Mohalla , over 200 from Nangali Sahib area. Over 120 families from Harijan Basti near Betar nallah were evacuated to a nearby Church. Some families have been housed at Akhara Mandir Sarai, local Madarassa and Geeta Bhawan. Langars have been arranged for the evacuated persons.
DC, Poonch M H Malik, SSP and Brigade commander were closely monitoring the situation. A control room has also been established at Poonch. Nearly 60 persons were also rescue from Surankote area today. Ten houses were damaged in Harmutta and Gursai area due to land slides but the people were evacuated from there. These houses belonged to Muneer Hussain and his three sons. There is no light and water supply in entire Mendhar tehsil while all link roads are closed.
At Thannamandi in Rajouri 13 persons were buried alive as their house came under land slide. The incident took place at around 8.15 am in Ward No. 13 of Old Thannamandi. The Army and local police with the help of residents and relatives retrieved the bodies at around 4 pm today. The deceased are identified as Nazarat Hussain (37), son of Mohd Sadiq, Gulzer Akhtar (28), wife of Nazarat, Zafar Ahmed (10) and Intehaz Ahmed (8), sons of Nazarat, Nadeela Kouser (28), wife of Mehmood Khan, Iram Firdous (18), daughter of Mehmood Khan, Mehroom Akhtar (8) and Mafa Akhtar (4), daughters of Mehmood, Umer Sajjad (3), son of Mehmood, Ahmed Bi (50), wife of Late Inayat Khan, Mohd Rayaz (18), son of Abdul Rashid, Simraan Mehroom (7), daughter of Abdul Rashid, and Fazal Hussain (45), son of Kala Khan, resident of Mangota Dhok. Fazal was goig to his house and it was raining heavily. He took shelter for some time in this house and got perished.
Commanding Officer of 38 RR, Col Raman Nathan, Tehsildar Dr Kabir and SDPO Surjit Bhagat coordinated the entire rescue operation. Additional DC Rajouri Salim Malik also reached and immediate relief from Red Cross was provided to the relatives of the deceased.
A senior district officer said that total 21 deaths took place in entire Rajouri district today. While 13 have taken place in Thannamandi house collapse, three died in Kotranka, two in Manjakote, one in each at Sunderbani, Kalakote and Darhal. About 130 houses were collapsed fully, 250 partially, 14 cattles perished while nearly 86 cattle sheds were also damaged.
A police spokesman from Nowshera said that all the 25 bodies of marriage party members recovered so far have been identified. The deceased are-Gurjeet Kour (3), daughter of Swarn Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Manmohan Singh (4), son of Manjit Singh of Kanara Chowki, Swarn Kour (28), wife of Kirtan Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Jasvinder Singh (18), son of Nirmal Singh of Rajpura Kamila, Gursimran Kour, (25), wife of Parminder Singh from Qila Darhal, Surinder Kour (25), wife of Manjit Singh of Kanara, Nirmal Singh (8), son of Hardyal Singh of Rajpura Kamila, Harpreet Kour ( 16), daughter of Didar Singh of Rajpura Kamila, Gurdyal Singh (17), son of Amarjeet Singh of Rajpura Kamila, Nirmal Singh (35), son of Mohinder Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Gurvinder Singh (17), son of Swarn Singh of Rajpura Kamila, Sukhvinder Kour (45), wife of Harbans Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Gurmeet Kour (27), wife of Harvinder Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Rekha (15), daughter of Madan Singh of Rajpura, Amrit Kour (47), wife of Inder Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Manjeet Singh (22), son of Mohinder Singh of Rajpura Bhata, Hukum Singh (37), son of Gurmukh Singh of Kanara, Rattan Singh (27), son of Harjeet Singh, resident of Kanara Chowki, Gurmeet Kour (40), wife of Surinder Singh of Rajpura Bhata and Maya Kour (35), wife of Bahadur Singh of Rajpura Bhata in Nowshera.
In Chasana area of Mahore in Reasi, four fresh deaths were reported today. The deceased are identified as Farman Ali (12), son of Mohd Shafi of Bagankote, Shamim Akhtar (3), daughter of Mohd Hussain of Chandyalkote. They both washed away in nallas. One Taj Begum, wife of Bashir Ahmed of Kunderdan in Mahore died in house collapse while one Naseem Aktar, wife of Zuber Hussain, resident of Ichli Nandkote died due to land slides. In the entire Reasi district, nearly 100 houses were damaged fully and 130 partially while about two dozen cattle shed also got perished.
Deputy Commissioner Doda S V Meena said that 18-year-old girl, Priya Devi, resident of Kashtigarh was killed while the other family member injured as their house partially collapsed today. He said total 113 houses were damaged in the district. Sixteen houses got fully damaged, eight severely and 89 partially. Nearly 28 cattle heads perished, four cowsheds collapsed and a JCB washed away in a nullah in Gandoh area. He said about 170 Mani Mahesh pilgrims have been stranded at Bhaderwah and Assar and they have been provided food and shelter as all the roads are closed.
In Marwah area of Kishtwar about 50 families were rescued and evacuated to safer places by Army as a nallah caused extensive damage in the area. The army and locals were trying to change the course of the nallah. The army provided food and other assistance to the affected people. RR troops rescued 215 villagers from Navapachi area. Two foot bridges also washed away. In Ramban area, 46 houses were damaged partially and four fully, six foot bridges and five ‘Gharats’ washed away. The power supply to entire Banihal area was snapped for the last two days. Ten people were rescued from Nowgam area of Banihal by police. They were provided shelter at local High school.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ajit Kumar Sahu said that IAF rescued about 109 trapped persons from various areas of Jammu, Pargwal, Hamirpur Kona, Jourian and Akhnoor today. He said about 2000 people from nearly ten flood hit villages including Chak Sikander, Sitrayl, Bakore, Garkhal, Indri Patan, Datyal, Hamirpur, Pargwal etc were rescued and provided shelter in schools and other Government buildings at safer places. From Pargwal area about 150 people were evacuated as Chenab water had posed major risk to the lives of the people. It was flowing above danger mark since last evening. He said no loss of life has been reported in the district but about thirty houses were collapsed and three cattle perished in the flood today. He said the traffic on old Akhnoor bridge was suspended as Chinab water was posing threat. Near Gharkhal, a bundh at the bank of river Chinab breached and water entered in many fields and some villages. The people were shifted from there by police and civil administration. Army was also providing all possible help.
In Ramgarh area of Samba, bunds along Devak and Basanter rivers breached and the water entered many fields and villages. The District administration led by Dy Commisioner, Mubarak Singh and senior Police officers rushed to the area and evacuated the villagers to safer places. The flood water also caused damage to the BSF infrastructure. The villages affected and marooned in the area included Nanga, Barota, Rangoor Camp and Kamore camp.
Mr Singh disclosed that massive land erosion has taken place and standing crops damaged. The PHE, PDD, Irrigation and PWD infrastructure has also suffered loss to the tune of over Rs 5 crores. The loss caused to public property and crops, land etc is being assessed. He also disclosed that total 109 houses, 38 cattle shed were damaged and three cattle killed in the floods and rains.
Meanwhile, Indian Air Force men from Jammu station under Wing Commander Anup Sharma and his team launched rescue operation in marooned villagers and rescued three women and three children at village Paliyari in Akhnoor today. A request was received from civil administration at 7.30 am today. The Air Force promptly addressed the aid to civil authorities and as soon as the rain stopped at 0845 hours, a MI-17 helicopter was airborne for the rescue of the people. The names of rescued villagers are Balwan Singh( 38), Kritnam Singh, 45 yrs, Madan Lal, 50 years, Shyam- 40 years, Harbansh Lal- 32 Years, Mohan Lal -34 years, Madan Lal- 49 years, Sariya Begam- 35 years, Kaka-04 years, Liyakat Ali -15 years, Jetti Bibi -45 years, Ilma Bibi- 09 yrs, Sakeena -40 years and Babv- 03 years.
District Administration Kathua organised relief and rescue operations at various places in Kathua with assistance of Police, Civil Defense and locals. At Rajbagh 55 persons were rescued from flooded Ujh river, 3 persons were rescued at Kore Punnu in Hiranagar and 3 in Billawar.
Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary along with SSP Mohan Lal, SDM Hiranagar, Sohan Lal, Tehsildars and SHOs of Kathua and Hiranagar visited various areas in Kathua, Ujjh, Rajbaghm Hiranagar and Lakhanpur inspected the damaged to private and public property and supervised relief and rescue operations. Damages have been reported by Irrigation department, municipal committee, revenue and other departments.
District Red Cross Society established a relief camp for 55 rescued persons at Rajbagh where SDM Hiranagar and SHO Rajbagh camped for assistance to families. Ration, biscuits, pre-cooked foods, medicines, safe drinking water and other facilities were made available at the camp. The DC inspected the establishment of camp of assured the families about all assistance being extended by district administration. Ten tents have been set up and two buildings made available for camp. A joint control room for disaster management has been established in DC Office headed by Addl Deputy Commissioner Prasanna Ramaswami and including officials from Revenue, CAPD, Flood Control, Rural Development, Red Cross and Police.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Billawar Manmeet Kumar and SHO Billawar lead the rescue operation for three persons trapped in an island and shifted to hospital. SDM Basohli and SDM Bani supervised the operations in respective areas. Road connectivity to Bani remained hampered in Bani for second consecutive day. Ujh river crossed the danger mark of 60,000 cusecs and marked 1,06,217 cusecs at 1 pm today. As many as 41 houses were damaged partially and 10 fully in the district. Relief has been rushed to affected areas by the district administration and arrangements made for civil supplies and essential services.
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal said that in Udhampur district 13 houses were fully damaged while 24 partially in the rains in last two days. She disclosed that three cattle sheds perished and six animals including two cows were killed. She maintained that the report of damaged houses is still pouring in from various areas of the district.
Meanwhile, the houses damaged in the district belonged to that of Lal Din, son of Kalu of Gordi, Altaf Din son of Nur Deen of Gordi, Shit Ram, son of Janak Raj of Gorian Nallah, Gobind Ram, son of Taju of Lodhra, Kartar Singh, son of Daya Ram of Styalta in Udhampur, Sharif Mohd, son of Jamal Din of Nala Nikka, Swarn Singh, son of Satar of Nali Nikka, Biddi Singh, son of Tirlok Singh of Ladda, Babu Singh, son of Tirlok Singh of Ladda, Masu son of Balku of Ladda, Chunni Lal, son of Ishru of Ladda, Rishi Pal, son of Durga, Balwant Singh son of Krishan Lal of Ladda, Premu, son of Fakiru, Subash Singh, son of Suram of Lali, Dayan Singh. son of Puran Singh of Prem Singh, son of Indru of Panjar, Goru Singh, son of Bhagtu of Panjar, Krnail Singh, son of Durgha of Panjar, Darshan Kumar, son of Nasib Chand of Chapad Latti, Gayan Chand son of Panjabu, Hans Raj, son of Nasib Chand, Mohan Lal son of Nasibu, Nasib Chand, son of Santu, Sakina, daughter of Nasib Chand, Des Raj, son of Biju, Shiv Dutt, son of Jagtu, all residents of Chapad in Latti, Sudash Kumar, son of Jattu Ram of Marothi, Hem Raj, son of Dhani Ram of Pattan, Sunil Dutt son of Kaka Ram of Bapp, Prem Nath, son of Gori of Lohar Barmin and Nek Ram, son of Sita Ram of Jandradi.
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