Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 26: Massive rain and cloudbursts in Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Balakote area of Poonch caused extensive damage to the two Government buildings, several houses and shops besides half a dozen water mills while a 200 feet long low- bridge (culvert) was washed away in Mendhar area last night.
Due to cloudbursts at two places near Kandni area of Kishtwar and Pranu in Doda on Bhaderah road, the Batote Kishtwar and Doda-Bhaderwah roads were blocked. Massive landslides, mud and boulders blocked the road and also caused extensive damage to it. A large number of trees were also fallen and spread on the road. Near Kandni, about 200 metres road was extensively damaged and hundreds of vehicles have been stranded on both sides since this morning.
An official spokesman said that about half a dozen houses, shops and three water mills have been damaged in these two incidents. The cloudburst in Pranu area of Bhaderwah washed away a large area of the road but it was restored in the evening by the concerned authorities. No loss of human life has been reported. The Doda-Kishtwar road was still blocked at Sui Gwari, about 10 kms ahead of Pul Doda and Kandni, about 8 kms ahead of Thathri. A large number of passengers have been stranded on the highway. The road had been damaged at 3-4 more places but it was restored by the concerned authorities.
Reports from Ramban said that cloudburst during wee hours today in Halla- Bhandrat area caused extensive damage to a Govt High School and Primary Health Centre buildings in the area. About half a dozen houses and two shops were damaged while two water mills (Atta Chakkis) were washed away in the natural calamity. Karyana shop of one Ram Parkash and another shop of Jagdish Raj were completely perished in the incident. Atta Chaki/ Gharat of Sarpanch Ved Parkash also got washed away while two houses extensively damaged in the incident belonged to Mohd Shafi and Madan Lal of Halla.
No immediate assistance was accorded to the people of the area being far flung and about 23 kms from district headquarters, in mountainous belt. However, the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway remained opened despite rain during morning.
Another report from Mendhar said that heavy rain during last night and cloudburst in Balakote area washed away a low bridge/ culvert on Harni-Nad road snapping link to at least six villages including Nakka-Majari, Sangiot, Kallar Morha, Nad and Parat.
The heavy volume of water during flash flood and big boulders caused extensive damage to nearly 200 ft long culvert and also caused damage to atleast 18 houses. Seven houses have been damaged fully at Sandot. Dhar Galoon river caused massive damage to fields and standing crop and massive land erosion has been witnessed there since last night. Another house got collapsed due to rain at village Bera Kund in Mendhar last night in which a boy- Mohammed Azam was injured. Other family members had miraculous escape. No officer from Administration visited the area or provided any sort of relief/ assistance to the helpless villagers.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Nassir Ahmed Wani along with other district officers and Executive Engineers of PDD, PHE, R&B and Flood Control visited cloudburst affected Chhatral and Kalaban areas today and directed the officers to restore road connectivity, water and power supply.
He also met over two dozen families which have been rendered homeless and taking refuge in a Govt school and another building in the area. The District Administration, except assurance offered no relief or any sort of assistance/ ration etc to these affected villagers. There is strong resentment among the locals of the area against the Govt and District Administration.
Reports from Rajouri said that due to heavy rain, Kotranka-Khawas road has been closed. There are landslides at many places on this road and till now no restoration work has been commenced. The people of the area are facing hardships. Due to heavy rain last night, three shops and Atta Chakki of a villager Baisakhi Ram were washed away due to flood in nearby nallah at village Patrarha. His Atta Chaki has been washed away in the flooded nallah.
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