NH partially restored, stranded vehicles being cleared
70 cattle perish in rains, flood in Jammu region
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Mar 3: Four members of a family including three minor daughters were killed in a house collapse in Mahore area of Reasi district, one person was seriously injured after a private car was hit by landslide at Pul Doda while Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was restored for one way traffic this evening.
Scores of more houses were damaged in windstorm and heavy rain in Jammu region while traffic on Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road and several other roads was restored today. The power supply snapped in various far flung areas of Ramban, Banihal, Gool, Kishtwar and Doda, Bani was still snapped after gusty winds damaged power infrastructure.
Reports from Reasi said that a woman and her three daughters, aged between two and five, were killed after their ‘kachha’ house collapsed in Majra Kund area of Chassana in Reasi district on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.
The deceased who came under the debris after house collapse were identified as Phalla Akhter (30), wife of Mohd Farid; Nasima Kousar 4 years, Safeena Kousar, 2 years and Amreen Kousar age two months.
Elderly members of the family – Kalu (60), son of Jumma and his wife Begum Bano (58) – suffered injuries in the incident and were taken to hospital where their condition was stated to be stable.
Heavy windstorm and rains lashed Reasi on Saturday due to which dozens of structures including residential houses were also damaged. The district administration was collecting details of the houses damaged in windstorm and rains.
Reports from Doda said that a driver was injured after a landslide hit a vehicle (Eeco Car) near Pul Doda on Botate- Kishtwar road today. The vehicle bearing registration number JK19-2930 was on way to Kishtwar.
Driver of the vehicle was identified as Khurshid Ahmed, resident of Shiva in Doda. He was shifted to GMC Hospital, Doda.
Meanwhile, heavy rain and flash floods persisted in district Kishtwar, with today’s reports from Tehsildars indicating additional damage to houses and livestock in Tehsil Nagseni and Kishtwar, respectively.
Tehsil Nagseni reported one pacca house and 7 Kucha houses with partial damage, while Tehsil Kishtwar recorded the unfortunate loss of 39 sheep, 3 goats and two cows due to heavy rains.
On Saturday 15 structures were reportedly affected across the district, prompting the administration to relocate affected families to nearby safer places.
Four houses collapsed due to heavy rain in which domestic animals died in Panchari and Ramnagar areas of district Udhampur. Reports said due to heavy rain and windstorm two houses of Devi Rani, wife of Late Charan Dass at village Summan damaged in which three cows and 8 goats were died.
Kailash Dutt, Ex-Sarpanch Panchayat Summan requested district administration to help this poor family who has suffered huge loss.
In yet another incident at village Uparla Balota in Ramnagar, the roof top of the house of Jeevan Lal was damaged due to snow-storm. In Panchayat Badota Tehsil Panchari, cattle shed of Shankar Dass suffered damage, in which two bulls, 15 sheep/ goats of the farmer were killed.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives in a landslide triggered by incessant rain in Chassana area of Reasi district.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: “I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the tragic incident in Chassana, Reasi. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members who have lost their loved ones. I have directed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance”.
The Lt Governor has also issued instructions to provide immediate relief to the families affected by heavy rains across the Union Territory.
The MP Jugal Kishore has also expressed shock over the loss of lives due to house collapse in Chassana area of Reasi and assured all possible assistance.
MP also spoke to Deputy Commissioner Reasi and asked to ensure all possible help to the family of the victims.
Reports from Ramban said that NH authorities this morning stepped up efforts to resume traffic movement on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway following improvement in weather. As the 270-km highway, the only all weather link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, remained shut for a second day, police shifted a large number of stranded passengers, including over 200 tourists to safer places in Ramban district.
The highway was closed early Saturday following landslides, mudslides and shooting stones, triggered by heavy rainfall at over a dozen places between Nashri and Banihal including Dalwas, Mehad-Cafeteria Morh, Hingni, Seri, Trishul Morh in Ramban, the officials said. A portion of the road near Panthiyal was also washed away.
SSP Traffic NH Rohit Baskotra said that highway remained blocked till this evening. But by 6.30 pm one way traffic was restored. Many stranded vehicles were cleared. But during night it was risky to allow movement of vehicles. He advised people to avoid journeys on the highway, till the completion of the restoration work.
While the higher reaches experienced fresh snowfall, moderate to heavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir on March 1 and 2. Dozens of residential houses and other structures, including several government schools, were also damaged by strong winds and hailstorm in different parts of the Union Territory.
The police have set up control rooms in all district headquarters after incessant rains flooded the water bodies to meet any eventuality, the officials said, requesting people to stay away from the swollen rivers, rivulets, streams and ponds.
A police spokesperson said several families who were trapped in the Bowli Bazar area of Ramban due to a heavy mudslide were rescued late Saturday night.
Over 200 tourists from Kerala who were left stranded in Banihal on their return from Kashmir were relocated to a safe shelter house on Saturday night and provided with essential amenities like food, blankets, and quilts, the spokesperson said.
He added that a vehicle got stuck in a mudslide at Cafeteria Morh along the highway but prompt action by the police rescued all the individuals safely.
In another instance, six men, four women and a child who were stranded at Nachlana due to heavy rain and shooting stones were rescued and shifted a safer place, he added.
Expanding their efforts, the police provided essential relief to stranded passengers on the blocked highway, offering water, food, tea, and more, he said.
Anticipating unforeseen circumstances due to heavy rainfall, the police, in collaboration with the Disaster Response Team and Quick Response Team, are on high alert, the spokesperson said, adding that these dedicated teams are prepared to reach any area within 15 minutes.
Reports from Srinagar said that Srinagar and other parts of the Valley received light snowfall today while hills of Kashmir received heavy snowfall and the weather improved in the afternoon.
Srinagar and other parts of the Valley received light snowfall overnight while the hills including Gulmarg, Sonmarg received heavy snowfall. Weather improved in the afternoon and brought some respite to the people from cold weather.
Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 0.6°C against previous night’s 2.0°C. It was below normal by 2.8°C for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.0°C against 1.8°C the previous night and it was 1.1°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 2.4°C against 0.5°C the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the resort.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 1.5°C against 0.5°C the previous night and it was 2.4°C below normal.
Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 1.3°C against 0.3°C the previous night and it was 2.3°C below normal there.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.6°C and minus 2.0°C the previous night. The temperature was below normal by 6.1°C for the skiing resort.
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