Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 17: Indian Air Force (IAF) men rescued 15 persons trapped in flooded river Ravi near Lakhanpur and Kathua, a portion of historic Bahu Fort and at least 800 more houses and cattle sheds reportedly collapsed across the region since last evening whereas, a youth was washed away in Basantar river in Samba and another in river Tawi in Chenani area of Udhampur today.
Reports said due to flash flood in river Ravi at least 15 persons who had gone for collecting sand and stones along with tractor trolleys and tippers, got trapped this morning. They remained there for at least 3-4 hours screaming for help. The District Administration Kathua and Gurdaspur (Punjab) contacted Air Force authorities for evacuating the trapped civilians as the water level in the river was increasing constantly.
Responding to the request, the IAF Cheetah Helicopter Unit based at Udhampur was tasked to rescue stranded people in the river, bordering J&K and Punjab. As the weather improved Wing Commander N Batra immediately briefed the Sqn Ldr Bharmoria who along with Flt Lt ARS Rawat got airborne in Cheetah aircraft and launched operation. They assessed the area for suitable landing at the central dry portion of the river and started rescuing all of them in several sorties between bank and middle of the river at three different locations near Lakhanpur, Madhopur and Kathua.
The IAF helicopter also carried out recce mission along the river in low lying areas like Kathua, Nagri Parole, Gurdaspur and after completion of the task they flew back to Udhampur base.
The outer wall of historic Bahu Fort on the Tawi river side collapsed this morning. About 100 ft wall gave way suddenly, in the morning on Bagh-e-Bahu side. However, no casualty was reported. Senior officers from the district administration visited the site after the incident.
Reports from Samba said that one Rakesh Kumar (23), son of Nathu Ram resident of Kamore in Ramgarh area was washed away in flood water of Basantar. The youth had gone to his fields. Due to flood, the bandh along the river in this area had breached three days back.
Due to flash flood he was washed away. However, his body was later recovered by the people of the area who took immediate notice. DC Samba, R K Verma, SSP and MLA S S Slathia also visited his house. The administration provided Rs 1.00 lakh immediate relief/ compensation to the family.
Reports about nearly 30 more houses-collapse have been received from different blocks of the district since last night. The flood has also caused damage to many dug wells and water pumping stations along the river and nallahs. In district Jammu there are reports of damage to nearly two dozen houses in Nagrota, Jindrah, Akhnoor and other areas.
From Udhampur fresh reports of partial/ full damage to nearly 500 more houses have been received. Report said that 416 houses were partially damaged, 70 of them were cattle sheds. A total 13 houses collapsed in Khaned and Dudu-Basantgarh areas while eight in proper Udhampur, the rest in Chenani- Sudhmahadev, Ramnagar, Majalta, Jib Thathi, Jaganoo, Pancheri-Landhar, parts of Bhamag and Tikri belt of the district. In Tikri belt there is report of nearly 180 house collapse incidents.
One Sudesh Kumar, son of Prem Chand, resident of Magolta in Chenani washed away in Tawi. His body was recovered by the villagers near Madda bridge. The police and locals shifted the dead body to Chenani hospital.
While Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was cleared for traffic last evening, Udhampur- Ramnagar road was blocked due to fresh landslides near Kagote bridge this morning. Nearly 80 mt portion of the road sunk near the bridge. The traffic could be restored after 9 hours and a large number of vehicles remained stranded. Ramnagar-Dudu, Johnu, Ghordi-Barmeen road was also blocked while traffic on Dhar Road has been restored.
In Reasi, the district administration has received fresh reports of nearly 37 house collapse incidents till last late evening. Out of the total, majority of them have collapsed in Mahore, Baggan, Chasana and Bhamag area. Some more reports are being received from remote Bhamag area as the connectivity is very poor but it is believed that damage is more in this particular belt. Unconfirmed reports said that there are more than 100 such incidents of house collapse in this belt.
From Billawar, Basohli, Hiranagar, Ramkote, Bani, Nagri Parole and Kathua area, there are reports of about 115 fresh incidents of house collapse. Lakhanpur-Basohli-Bani road continued to remain blocked on the second consecutive day while traffic on Dayala-Chak-Billawar road has been restored. Many electric poles have been damaged due to rain and landslides in Bani and Bhoond area.
In Mendhar area there is no electricity for the last three days as due to flood and landslides many electric towers have been damaged. The road connectivity between Mendhar and Surankote has been snapped for the last two days due to massive landslides near Jara Wali Gali. BSNL service is also down for the last couple of days. Mughal road is also closed for the last three days due to massive landslides and vehicles have been stranded at some places.
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