Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 7: Three soldiers were killed after a snow avalanche hit their post in Batalik sector of Kargil district along the Line of Control (LoC) last evening and with the improvement in weather, the water level has started receding from River Jhelum and its tributaries but it is still above danger mark in Srinagar.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia told Excelsior that unprecedented snowfall triggered multiple avalanches in Batalik sector of LoC in Kargil area of Ladakh region and a post came under it. “While two soldiers were rescued, three others could not survive despite rescue efforts”, he said.
The soldiers have been identified as Havaldar Prabu Shayu Kirke of Semna village Ranchi in Jharkhand, Lance Naik Bihari Marandi of Ramnathpur, Pakur in Jharkhand and Sepoy Kuldeep Lakra of village Bishakha Tanga, Ranchi in Jharkhand.
In the meantime, with the improvement in weather since last night, the water level of River Jhelum and its tributaries started receding this afternoon. According to Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department, the water level in Jhelum at Ram Munshi Bagh was recorded 19.05 feet, Sangam 17.90 feet and Ashim 12.83 feet at 10 p.m. The water level touched to 20.20 feet at Ram Munshi Bagh and 22.10 feet at Sangam this morning before it started receding.
The I&FC said that the water level in South Kashmir tributaries also came down and this evening at 9, the level in Vishow Nallah at Khudwani was 5.88m, Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi 1.11m and Lidder Nallah at Batkoot 0.77 m.
The low lying areas of Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir are still under water due to incessant rains. In Srinagar, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Fire and Emergency Department were seen dewatering roads in parts of Srinagar while in other parts especially in Jawahar Nagar, Gogjibagh, Kursu and Rajbagh areas of Srinagar no dewatering has been done yet.
Meanwhile, the weatherman said that a weak Western Disturbances, which create clouds and precipitation over Himalayas, are still prevailing over the Valley, which may result in intermittent light rainfall at many places over the next 24 hours.”There is possibility of occasional sunshine as well,” an official of the Meteorological (MeT) department said.
The official said that weather will be dry from Sunday morning till Tuesday, with light precipitation likely to occur at “isolated” places in Kashmir on Saturday. For two days on Wednesday and Thursday, light rain may occur are isolated places as Western Disturbance is likely to hit valley after April 13 onwards.
The train service on Srinagar-Baramulla track remained disrupted for the second day today, due to heavy rain in the Kashmir Valley during the past 24 hours.
However, Budgam-Srinagar, Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region all trains are running normalcy. Due to submerged track, train is running from Srinagar-Budgam to Pattan only on Baramulla track, a railway official said.
He said the track from Pattan to Baramulla was under water at several places forcing suspension of the rail runs for the second day today for safety reasons.
“However, as and when there is improvement in the weather and water level decreases we will resume the rail service upto Baramulla after inspecting the track,” he said.
Srinagar-Jammu highway continued to remain closed for vehicular movement due to the slippery conditions of roads triggered by the heavy downpour for last three days.
An official in the traffic department said that highway was closed for today as well due to slippery conditions of roads at Ramban. “Men and machinery has been pressed to clear the roads. The decision to reopen the highway will be taken after the work will be completed,” the official said.
Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers and trucks laden with essentials, also remained stranded on the highway for the past several days.
Meanwhile, massive hailstorm in Tral area of south Kashmir damaged orchards and other crop. The hail storm occurred this evening and continued for nearly 30 minutes, causing huge damage to crops and other trees.
Two residential houses were severely damaged after a landslide hit New Chinar Bagh area on Old Gagribal road today.
The houses belonging to Mohammed Ashraf Lone and Dr Sheikh Bashir Ahmed suffered extensive damage after a massive rock, measuring around 16ft, hit them.
The slide was triggered by incessant rains that lashed Kashmir during past two days.
Nearly a dozen residential houses have been damaged in Langate area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district due to the falling of huge trees after heavy snowfall.
Three houses were damaged in Yaroo two in Badrikhal, one each in Ganapora, Langate, Gujarpati Rengpath and Sudergund Hangah. Besides, several houses were damaged in other areas of Langate due to the falling of trees.
In Kultoora Langate, 10 kanal orchard was washed away as gushing waters of Nallah Pohru entered from it.
The residents of the area said they had appealed to the authorities of Flood Control department for a bund in the area last year, but till date no action has been taken.
In Rajwar area of Handwara, two houses were damaged due to the landslide triggered by the heavy rainfall in the area. The heavy downpour in the area has triggered multiple landslides.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia said here that while the entire Valley was in the grip of a flood like situation and weather turning out to be adverse, army and civilian authorities jointly sprung into action to provide succour to the residents of low lying areas of Isthil, Chehlan and Kokernag area of South Kashmir. “The only bridge in Isthil got washed away and the locals who were in critical situation near the bridge were immediately rescued and taken to safer places and were provided required medical assistance. The team was also able to save life of six persons who got stuck in a sumo that had fallen into the Brengi Nalhah”, he said.
He said that an ambulance ferrying the pregnant wife of Abdul Aahad Khan of Anserip, Bandipora to Srinagar got stuck on Bandipore Srinagar Highway near Malpura village. “Army with the help of locals managed to rescue the ambulance and ensure safe movement from an alternate route. Later Abdul Aahad Khan called the SK Bala Camp to inform that he was blessed with a healthy boy at Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar and thanked Army for the initiative and timely assistance “, he said.
Meanwhile, Governor N. N. Vohra has expressed grief over the tragic loss of three soldiers when an avalanche struck an army post in the Batalik sector of the Ladakh region.
The Governor spoke to Lt General PJS Pannu, GOC 14 Corps, and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families and wished early recovery to the soldiers buried under the snow who have been rescued.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has also expressed grief over the death of three soldiers in a snow avalanche in the Batalik sector in Kargil district yesterday.
The Chief Minister has conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved families.
She has also expressed sympathies with people who suffered losses to their properties, including damages to houses and orchards during the inundations and incessant rains during the last three days adding the Government fully stands with them during the difficult times for them.
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