Heavy snowfall in Kashmir, avalanches hit Kishtwar
* Temple damaged in Samba lightning, one hurt
Gopal Sharma/
Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Feb 27: Three persons were killed and three feared washed away in Suran river as rains, landslides and flash floods wreck havoc in Jammu region, a youth was washed away in flash flood in a nallah in Reasi district, a temple was damaged in lightning in Samba while Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed after land slides and shooting stones at several places in Ramban sector today.
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Jammu-Kishtwar highway was blocked for more than five hours today near Faggumarh (Drabshalla) about 18 kms short of Kishtwar due to landslides today morning. However, the highway was cleared at around 11 am.
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A massive avalanche hit a road in Beigpura area Chhatroo in Kishtwar this afternoon , however, no immediate loss of any life or property was reported. Another avalanche hit Pingrari area of Dachhan in Kishtwar, howver, it happened at some distance of a hamlet.
Reports from Poonch said that one person was killed and two others seriously injured when a private Scorpio vehicle hired by CRPF was hit by a boulder in Madana area of Poonch this evening. The mishap took place when the vehicle was on way towards Surankotre from Poonch.
While driver of the vehicle was killed on the spot, two CRPF personnel on board the vehicle, were injured. The body of the driver got trapped in the vehicle and was removed after tough efforts by police.
The deceased was identified as Wahid Ahmed, son of Abdul Gani, resident of Jarran Wali Gali in Poonch. The injured identified as Constables Deepak Kumar (CRPF) and Mohinder Kumar, were shifted to Surankote hospital. The road remained closed for more than two hours dueto shooting of stones and landslide.
An official spokesman said that two to three persons were feared washed away while seven others seriously injured after a Xylo vehicle during heavy rain slipped into Suran river near Kalai bridge in Poonch area at around 7.30 pm late Thursday evening. Due to darkness the rescue operation could be launched late night.
Tehsildar Heveli who was on the spot along with SHO told that seven persons were rescued from the vehicle which fell into nearly 3-4 ft deep water. The driver of the vehicle was also missing. He said that 2-3 people are feared to have washed away in the flood water of the river. A search for them was launched.
He said the victims remained lying in the icy cold water for long time and after preliminary treatment at DH Poonch are being referred to GMC Rajouri. They were identified as Gul Mohd and Kali Begum of Manjakote, Gulzar Hussain and Saima Kouser of Fazlabad in Surankote, Salma Kouser of Bhattadurian Mendhar, Karamat Hussain of Bhattadurian and Sabza Bi of Mendhar.
Another report said that a Tipper slipped into a gorge during rain in Bafliaz area of Surankote in Poonch today. Its driver was killed on the spot. The injured helper was shifted to local hospital at Surankote. The body of the driver was shifted to SDH Surankote.
Reports from Mahore area of Reasi said that a 14-year-old boy, Paviter Singh, son of Suraj Singh, a resident of Tuli, Chassana, lost his life after being washed away in the Sangoor Nallah in the Tuli area of Chassana Tehsil.
As per reports, the incident occurred when Paviter Singh was returning home with a relative. Due to heavy rainfall in the district, the nallah was overflowing, and he accidentally slipped into the nallah and washed away.
After an extensive search, his body was recovered at a distance downstream. The deceased was shifted to CHC Chassana for postmortem, and the police have taken cognizance of the matter.
Due to rain and landslides Reasi-Mahore and Mahore -Gool and Mahore -Gulabgarh roads were blocked.
Meanwhile, continuous heavyrainfall has caused severe waterlogging in Mendhar market, disrupting daily life. The main market and nearby streets are submerged, making movement difficult for residents and traders. Rainwater has entered shops and homes, bringing business activities to a halt.
Local shopkeepers and residents were struggling to drain out the water, but the lack of a proper drainage system has worsened the situation. Many traders have suffered financial losses as their goods were damaged due to water accumulation. Pedestrians and commuters were facing difficulties as roads remain flooded, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to pass through.
Reports from Ramban said that due to shooting of stones, mudslides and landslides between Nashri and Banihal during the day today, the traffic disruptions were caused frequently. The problem was created at Mehar, Dalwas, Cafeteria Morh, Gangroo, Marog, Mom Passi, Panthyal Tunnel, Kistwari Pather etc. Mudslide created problem for long in Mehar area near Ramban.
A foot – bridge in Dessa area of Doda was damaged in rain and flash flood in a local Nallah today, snapping link to a village and several hamlets.
Due to heavy rain and possibility of shooting of stones, the movement of traffic was stopped at around 7 pm and the Highway was closed. The movement of traffic was stopped at Qazigund and Jakheni at Udhampur, a senior official said.
In yet another incident of lightning, the upper portion of a temple was damaged in Gurha Slathia area of Samba today evening. The reports said that cracks were created on the temple structure and a villager was injured in the incident.
Reports of heavy snow on the higher passes of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch and Reasi have been reported. The rain continued throughout the day in Jammu region, throwing normal life out of gear.
Chopper service to Katra Mata Vaishnodevi and battery car operation remained suspended today. The new yatra route via Tara Kota also remained closed. Due to closure of highway a large number of vehicles have been stranded along at different places.
Meanwhile, the hills of Kashmir received heavy snowfall today while Srinagar and other parts of the Valley also received snowfall leading to drop in the temperatures across the region.
The snowfall in the hills continued for the third consecutive day today with multiple places experiencing a snow depth of 3 to 4 feet during the period.
Officials said that Z-Gali received 3.5 feet, Machil 3.5 feet, Sadna Top 4 feet, Furkia Top 3.5 feet, Lolab 6 inches, Kupwara 5 inches, Affrawat 5 feet, Kangdori 4 feet, Gulmarg 1.5 feet, Baramulla one feet, Tangmarg 10 inches, Kandi Baramulla 6 inches, Rafiabad Upper reaches 6 inches, Baramulla Town 6 inches, Srinagar one inch, DK Marg 1 feet and Aherbal one feet and Shopian 6 inches.
An avalanche struck Khandiyal village in Gurez Valley in Bandipora district today, damaging partially two residential structures.
The official said that the incident occurred this evening when heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley and Gurez triggered the avalanche.
Locals said that the avalanche caused damage to the two homes while no casualties or injuries have been reported.
The administration has initiated rescue and relief operations to assist the affected families. The snowfall has increased the risk of avalanches in several mountainous regions, prompting authorities to issue a warning for those in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, as per the forecast, there would be a slight improvement in the prevailing weather conditions from tomorrow afternoon.
However, the Director Meteorological Department (MeT) has stated that generally cloudy weather is expected from March 1 to March 2 with the possibility of light rain and snow at isolated to scattered places.
“On 3rd March, light to moderate rain and snow is expected at many places while from March 4 to 8, the weather would remain generally dry”.
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