Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 26: Heavy rains lashed Jammu areas early morning today causing water-logging on roads and extensive damage to public property.
The authorities sounded alert in the low lying areas along river Tawi and Chenab in Phallian Mandal, Pargwal, Akhnoor, Jourian and Khour areas as the water level continued to rise during heavy downpour. The intensity of rain was so high during morning hours that in the short span of time the city lanes, drains and seasonal Nallahs were over flooded.
The rain water entered many localities like Kalika Colony, Bahu Fort, Doda Residents Colony, Rajiv Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Preet Nagar, Gangyal, Belicharana, Trikuta Nagar, Gole Market Gandhi Nagar, Talab Tilloo, Shakti Nagar, Canal Road, Qasim Nagar, Lower Gumat and Ban Talab near Petrol Pump (K N Filling Station) and adjoining locality. In Dogra Chowk and Bikram Chowk about one and half feet water level was witnessed. It exposed the preparations of the JMC authorities for the Monsoon season. At several places, the people even raised slogans against the local administration and JMC authorities.
The waterlogged roads badly affected the movement of vehicles and general public in the City during morning hours. Due to chocked Nallah at Ban Talab, near Petrol Pump and KV, the flood water had spread all over the road and even inside Petrol Pump for hours. It affected the smooth flow of traffic on main Janipur-Roopnagar-Ban Talab-Kot Bhalwal Road.
In Kalika Colony again, the flooded Nallah caused more damage to the public property. The JMC, UEED and Flood Control authorities have yet to initiate protection work at war footing there despite lapse of two weeks. The land and drain water entered many city localities and caused damage to the public gadgets, ration and other house hold goods. Several lanes had been virtually converted into flooded Nallahs.
Reports from rural areas of Jammu, Samba, Akhnoor and Kathua said that movement of vehicular traffic on many link roads remained affected with the flood in seasonal Nallahs during morning hours today. The maximum water level in Chenab river remained between 27 ft and 28 ft today.
A MeT official has also issued warning and forecast of fresh spell of rains in next few days.
Police have also advised people to avoid travel on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to inclement weather that triggered shooting stones, specially in Ramban sector.
Reports from Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, in district Reasi said that Chopper service to Holy Cave was affected due to bad weather, however, Yatra continued smoothly on both the tracks despite rain.
An official spokesman said that no report of any injury or major damage has been reported so far from the region. However, the general public has been advised not to venture out to the vulnerable areas and avoid going to the banks of the rivers.
Meanwhile, MeT office said that more rain is most likely to occur in coming couple of days across the region. He said, ” We expect significant rise in water levels in all rivers especially of Jammu region in next couple of days.”
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