Sanjeev K Sharma
RAMBAN/JAMMU, Aug 26: A 20 years old youth was killed and six others including four children went missing after the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst hit remote Rajgarh and few other hamlets of mountainous district Ramban today.
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Sources informed that two missing persons along with the deceased were from the same family.
Immediately after the tragedy, district administration Ramban swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of district police led by SSP Ramban, Kulbir Singh and pressed men into rescue work but despite hectic efforts no sufficient success was achieved as the weather was very hostile, the rivulet was swollen besides the terrain was very tough and sloppy and it was continuously raining in the area.
Sources informed that the victims had dwellings at the bank of the rivulet which got swollen and water entered into their homes washing them away.
The deceased was identified as Yassir Ahmed, 20, son of Bhag Din, resident of Gadigram, Rajgarh while his mother Naseema Begum, 40, wife of Bhag Din along with his sister Shazia Banoo, 6, were missing till last reports.
Other missing persons were Gulshan Begum, 40, wife of Sajjad Hussain, resident of Suli, Rajgarh; Khalid Hussain, 12, son of Sajjad Hussain, resident of Suli, Rajgarh; Seerat Banoo, 6, daughter of Sajjad Hussain, resident of Suli, Rajgarh and Shazia Banoo, 6, daughter of Sajjad Ahmed, resident of Dunger, Rajgarh.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary said that cloudburst triggered heavy rains led to flash flood which hit the remote areas Kumate Rajgarg, Dhraman and Halla in the district.
“We pressed all our sources into rescue operation to help the affected people,” he informed, adding: “The rescue operation was toughened by the hostile weather and terrain of the area and as it was growing dark due to which the rescue operation was stopped and it will resume tomorrow subject to fair weather conditions.”
The DC Ramban also said that the tragedy hit area was very remote and it took 2-3 hours for rescue workers and cops to trek to reach the spot after traversing through mountainous tracks as the area lacks road connectivity.
He further said that a residential house was also washed away in flash floods and 4-5 schools were damaged along with two parked vehicles in Kumet area.
Sources informed that while there was no report of washing away of animals and other cattle but the same cannot be ruled out.
SSP Ramban, Kulbir Singh informed that the cloudburst struck Rajgarh area at 3.30 pm.
“Seven persons were missing but initially there was report of three persons and later it was reported that four more persons were missing,” he said, adding: “Dead body of one of the missing persons was recovered and the operation will be resumed in morning as six more persons are still missing.”
The SSP informed that it was very tough and sloppy terrain and there was flood in one more rivulet where rescue team could not reach but the cops at a police post there and some locals started rescue work in the area.
“Our SDRF team is staying there and in morning more teams will be rushed to the spot to join rescue operation,” he informed.
Sources informed that four of the missing persons were moving through the area and were all of a sudden captured by the sudden flash flood.
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