Fayaz Bukhari/ Gopal Sharma
Srinagar/ Jammu, Mar 13: Over 650 structures were damaged due to heavy snowfall and rain in Kashmir valley and 790 in Jammu division in last three days, the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road remained blocked on the third consecutive day whereas, the traffic was restored on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today.
The Gover-nment has released Rs 40 lakh for each district in Kashmir division to meet the losses and Rs 30 lakh for each district in Jammu region, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shal-indra Kumar and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu told media-persons here today.
“650 buildings have been partially damaged in the snowfall and seven schools have been completely damaged in the avalanche”, said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. He said that Gurez in North Kashmir and Shopian in South Kashmir received highest snowfall that was recorded at 3.5 feet.
Kumar warned of uncertain weather conditions on March 15. He said that Rs 40 lakh has been released to each district in Kashmir division to cater the loss caused by the recent snowfall in Kashmir. He said that almost 90 per cent of the essential services have been restored in Kashmir valley after unprecedented and heavy snowfall.
The Power Development Department Chief Engineer who was also present in the press conference said that 100 per cent power has been restored to Srinagar city.
Mr Kumar said that 75 de-watering pumps, 45 mobile pumps and 15 fire and emergency tenders were put in service to de-water various inundated areas of the city. “Besides, snow was cleared from the compounds of various hospitals on priority to ensure hassle-free movement of people for Medicare facilities”, he said.
However, reports from various parts of Kashmir said that the electricity supply continues to remain affected in majority of the areas of Kashmir valley including parts of Srinagar city.
Reports said that large number of city areas are still water logged despite claims by the Government that water has been drained out. Residents of Chanpora, Safa Kadal, Hari Singh High Street, Lal Bazar, Zakura, Bemina, Batmaloo, Jawahar Nagar, Gogjibagh, Rajbagh say that these areas are still waterlogged.
The SMC statement said that at least seventy percent lanes and by-lanes have been cleared of snow.
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which was closed for the past two days following heavy snowfall, was re-opened for stranded vehicles today.
IG Traffic, Muneer Khan said that BRO men cleared the snow at Jawahar Tunnel and 14 slides that had blocked the highway at Battery Chashma and Panthial.
Khan said that 4000 load carriers and passenger vehicles stranded in Qazigund and Ladoora and other parts crossed the Jawahar Tunnel this afternoon and majority of them had cleared Ramban this evening and are on way to Jammu. He said that 106 Kashmir bound passenger vehicles stranded on highway ahead of Udhampur were also crossed the Tunnel. He said traffic will be allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar tomorrow and the vehicles have to cross Nagrota by 8 a m.
Reports from Jammu said that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was opened to traffic and all the stranded vehicles were cleared today but the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road remained blocked even on the third consecutive day today whereas, nearly 790 houses reported to have been damaged in various parts of Jammu region due to rain and snowfall.
An official spokesman said that the stranded vehicles in Ramban, Banihal, Batote, Lower Munda and Qazigund area were cleared after the National Highway was opened to traffic by GREF men at around 10.30 am today. No movement of vehicles from Jammu or Srinagar side was allowed today.
Over 300 vehicles have been stranded between Batote- Puldoda-Kishtwar and on Doda-Bhaderwah road. The land slides at Thathri, Assar and Raggi Nallah could not be cleared even today evening and large portion of road has been damaged due to land slides/ boulders. Puldoda-Bhaderwah road is closed due to heavy snowfall and slides.
Deputy Commissioner Doda Mubarak Singh said that Batote-Doda and Bhaderwah road will be cleared by tomorrow but power supply to many areas was still snapped due to damage caused to transformers, poles and cables. He said that many link roads were still blocked.
Mr Singh further disclosed that 82 houses reported to have been damaged in district Doda. While a dozen were fully damaged, 70 others are partially affected. Eight cattle shed and three Government schools have also been damaged due to rains and snowfall but the number may go higher as some more details are pouring in from the remote areas where communication has been snatched, Mr Singh added.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban M H Malik said that 50 kucha houses were fully damaged in the entire district including Banihal while 234 houses suffered partial damage. Two Government buildings were also damage. He said Additional DC Ramban has been deputed to Banihal while AC Revenue to Gool area for supervising and monitoring the rescue/ restoration work.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu disclosed that as per reports received from various districts, total seven persons have been killed in last three days and nearly 790 houses damaged fully and partially in Jammu division. He said all the DCs have been asked to get details from Tehsildars and submit report regarding losses suffered by people. He said many transformers, power lines, PHE pumping stations have also been damaged in the rains, floods and snowfall.
Shantmanu disclosed that a loss of nearly Rs 3.80 crore has been projected by various Deputy Commissioners in the region and Government has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for each affected district in Jammu region for restoration/ relief work. He said compensation would be paid to the affected people after ground verification by the Revenue and other officials.
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