Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 6: Total blackout was witnessed in Jammu areas including Vijaypur, Samba, RS Pura, Akhnoor, Udhampur and parts of Kathua last night as high intensity winds and thunderstorm uprooted many trees and electric poles while two labourers were killed and three injured when a wall collapsed at Nagrota, about 14 kms from here, last night.
At around 10.30 pm, the thunderstorm and heavy rain suddenly rocked entire Jammu area, causing extensive damage to the public property. Many vehicles and buildings were damaged as trees and poles fell on them. The tin roofs of the people got uprooted and many sign boards were seen scattered on the city roads. Over a dozen bikers were injured in the mishaps and reported to GMC and Gandhi Nagar hospitals overnight.
The tragedy struck during the heavy downpour and windstorm at Nagrota, on Jammu-Udhampur highway when about 10 ft high newly constructed wall of one Shallu Gupta (local trader) collapsed and fell on the huts (Jhugis) of two families. While three persons including a minor girl were rescued, two others were killed in the mishap.
The deceased were labourers hailing from Bihar and presently residing in Nagrota town. They were identified as Daropati (44), wife of Sukh Ram and Shanker (54). The injured- Deepak Kumar (26), his wife Janaki Bhai (25) and their 6-year-old daughter, Simran were admitted to Govt Medical College & Hospital, Jammu. The condition of girl was said to be serious. They received multiple fractures.
A PDD official said that about 84 electric poles and 13 transformers have been damaged in Bari Brahmana and Vijaypur areas due to thunderstorm as HT and LT network got affected. Five sub stations suffered heavy damage. He said power supply to the entire areas remained suspended and it could be restored in about 60 % areas till 3 pm today. In old city area of Jammu also the power could not be restored by even 5 pm. More than 200 electric poles and three dozens of transformers were reported to have been damaged.
The uprooted poles and trees also affected the movement of vehicles in many areas of the city. The PDD and JMC men were seen clearing the roads. Even the IRCON employees were also pressed into service. Due to heavy rain the water also entered many localities and damaged house hold property and articles in the shops.
Reports said that in several areas of Gandhi Nagar including Sainik Colony, Channi Himmat, Babliana, Sain Colony, parts of Gangyal and Channi Rama power supply could not be restored even by 7 pm today. Even the areas like Shakti Nagar, Bakshi Nagar and Paloura were also without power till late this evening. With the power failure, the water supply to many areas was also affected. Many localities were facing crisis due to non-supply of drinking water. The people also held protests in several areas of Jammu city this afternoon.
In many areas of Khour, Jourian, Pallanwalla, Akhnoor, Amb Gharota, R S Pura, Kanachak and Nagrota, the power supply could not be restored till late this evening. Reports of blackout have also been reported from Ramnagar and Udhampur areas besides Hiranagar, Samba, Ghagwal, Kathua and Lakhanpur.
Meanwhile, the night-long snapped power supply today also played a spoilsport in Eid celebrations in the winter capital here. Electricity got affected in the entire Jammu district and other parts of the region due to thunderstorm and heavy rains. The snapped power supply threw ATMs out of order and the life remained paralysed.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh claimed that about 70% of the power supply in rural areas of Jammu was restored by 3.30 pm today. He said with the major damage caused to 33 KV and 11 KV lines, the power supply to many areas of Jammu district got affected last night. He said the PDD staff was pressed into service and they were later joined by IRCON staff. The restoration work on war footing was launched. In old city areas it took more time to restore power while in most of the areas of Jammu city the power supply was restored by this evening.
Meanwhile, National Conference provincial president and MLA from Nagrota Devender Singh Rana today visited the labour family whose two members were killed in the mishap at Nagrota. He expressed sympathy with the bereaved family and demanded compensation for the survivors. He also demanded financial assistance for the injured persons.
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