Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 16: Seven persons were rescued from flooded Tawi river while several villages in Ramgarh area were marooned as Basantar river was flowing above danger mark causing breach at the bund in Ramgarh area of Samba while massive rain and flood created havoc in many parts of Jammu region causing flash floods in many rivers and nallahs paralyzing normal life since last night.
Basantar river in Samba caused extensive damage to the crops of the farmers in low lying areas, public property and BSF infrastructure as bund along the river got breached at two places. The flood water also caused damage to nearly 30-40 mt fencing along the border. The flood water entered the BSF camp and many villages and fields causing damage to the public property and crops. The water has caused much damage at Barota Camp, Kamore, Nanga, Pakhri and Rangoor camp near International Border. It also caused some damage to the fencing along Indo-Pak border.
Reports said that the bund along Basantar got breached at the same place where it had been damaged last year during rains. The Flood Control Department had raised just temporary earth bund, as an eye wash and the bund being weak again got breached. The people of at least four-five villages have been affected with this calamity. At Kamore camp there was nearly 2 to 3 ft water in the entire village. Their fields in many low lying areas were marooned in flood waters. At Khanpur also the water entered many houses as it restricted public movement.
The Police and Army sounded alert in the entire area. Later, Deputy Commissioner Samba Mubarak Singh, Addl DC Inder Jeet, SSP Anil Magotra, SDPO Samyal Tehsildar and some police officials rushed to the area to take stock of the situation. Commander of the 92 Brigade and other Army officers along with jawans had also reached there to launch rescue operation and help the civilian population. The DC directed the Flood Control Department to take immediate restoration work along the Basantar river at Kamore and Rangoor camp. The DC also provided some assistance to the villagers whose household goods were damaged or washed away. No loss of life was however reported from this area.
Mubarak Singh when contacted said that nearly 390 ft bund has been affected with the flood in river Basantar. He said again at the same point at Rangoor camp the bund got breached as the water was flowing above danger mark. He said the water entered into the fields and damaged crop and even entered several villages. Soil erosion has also caused damage in the area. No loss of human or animal life has been reported so far. The Revenue officers including Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars and Girdawars/ Patwaris have been asked to start assessment of damage caused and they are on the job.
In river Tawi at Jammu, seven labourers engaged in loading tractor trolleys and tippers near new bridge got trapped in the flash flood early today. They remained trapped there for about three hours and later, rescued by Police, Army and Fire and Emergency Services men. All of them were brought safely at the river bank.
Rain water also entered in many localities of Jammu and caused damage to the public properly. The rain also restricted the movement of vehicles on the city roads.
Reports from Sunderbani said that one Rashida Begum ( 36), wife of Mohd Farooq of Masiot Channi village in Sunderbani was buried alive and another member of the family was injured as their kutcha house collapsed last night. MLA Nowshera R S Sharma announced Rs 20,000 cash relief from his own pocket to the bereaved family. The injured has been referred to GMC Jammu.
In Kathua also rain created massive damage as Ujh, Tarnah and Bein river were flowing near danger mark. The flood caused soil erosion and damage to standing crops. In Mareen, Chakra, Palassen Du Khui area, the water entered many houses and fields. The flood in Ujh caused massive soil erosion. The rain water entered several house in Ward No. 3,4, 5 and 6 in Kathua town.
Reports said the rain also paralysed normal life in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and parts of Udhampur. At village Nakka Majari in Balakote area of Mendhar, a cattle shed of one Mohd Shrief got collapsed. Five cattle were killed and six others injured in the mishap. Tehsildar and team of Veterinary officials was deputed to the area by SDM. Due to flood in many parts of Mendhar, massive land erosion has been reported.
Meanwhile, fresh snowfall of this season has been reported from Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and Pir Panjal area of Mughal road. It has also blocked some passes at Chattergalla and Pir Ki Gali.
Follow our WhatsApp channel