Heavy rainfall resulting from cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides in a number of areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district early Sunday, leaving three individuals useless and damaging scores of homes and roads, whereas greater than 100 individuals had been rescued.
Visitors on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar Nationwide Freeway was suspended because the highway was blocked at almost a dozen locations between Nashri and Banihal resulting from landslides and mudslides, officers mentioned.
Lots of of commuters had been left stranded on the 250-kilometre freeway, the one all-weather highway linking Kashmir with the remainder of the nation.
A cloudburst struck the Seri Bagna village, ensuing within the deaths of three individuals, together with brothers Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib. The rescue operation within the village was persevering with when the final reviews had been obtained, officers mentioned.
With the newest fatalities, 5 individuals have misplaced their lives in rain-related incidents within the Jammu area in two days. Two individuals, together with a girl, had been killed and one other girl was injured after they had been struck by lightning within the Arnas space of Reasi district late on Saturday.
The officers mentioned about 40 residential homes had been broken after a flash flood hit Dharam Kund village. Ten homes had been absolutely broken whereas the remainder suffered partial harm.
Greater than 100 trapped villagers had been rescued by police personnel who rushed to the location regardless of the continual downpour, they mentioned.
A number of autos had been swept away within the flood brought on by an overflowing stream, officers mentioned, “The state of affairs is unhealthy.. On my return I’ll submit my report back to the chief minister,” Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary mentioned in Ramban after he visited the affected areas accompanied by NC MLAs Arjun Singh Raju (Ramban) and Sajad Shaheen (Banihal).
A senior authorities official mentioned there was large harm in the complete district resulting from heavy rain, cloudbursts, high-velocity winds, landslides and hailstorms.
“We’re monitoring the state of affairs and an evaluation will probably be carried out later to supply help to the affected inhabitants. Our precedence for the time being is to safeguard lives,” mentioned the senior official, who didn’t want to be named.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the lack of lives and mentioned that each one potential help is being prolonged to the affected households.
The district administration, State Catastrophe Response Drive and rescue groups had been on the job to make sure swift reduction, Sinha mentioned.
“The aim of my go to is to convey to the those that Omar Abdullah led authorities stands with them on this hour of grief,” the deputy chief minister mentioned in Ramban.
He mentioned an in depth report will probably be sought from the deputy commissioner and each try will probably be made to compensate the losses suffered by the individuals.
A site visitors division spokesperson mentioned vehicular motion on the Jammu-Srinagar Nationwide Freeway was stopped from each side resulting from landslides, mudslides and taking pictures stones at a number of locations between Nashri and Banihal.
He mentioned the rain was persevering with alongside the freeway and commuters had been suggested to not journey on the arterial highway until the climate improved and the highway cleared.
A stretch of the highway close to Panthiyal was additionally swept away, the officers mentioned and added all of the stranded individuals had been moved to security.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh appreciated the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary for immediate motion in saving valuable lives.
“There was a heavy hailstorm, a number of landslides and quick winds all through the night time within the Ramban area, together with the areas surrounding the Ramban city. The nationwide freeway stands blocked and sadly, there have been three casualties and lack of property for a few households,” he mentioned in a put up on X.
“I’m in fixed contact with the deputy commissioner. The district administration deserves appreciation for well timed and immediate motion, which helped save a number of valuable lives,” he added.
The Udhampur MP mentioned each form of reduction — monetary and in any other case — was being supplied.
“The deputy commissioner has been conveyed that, if want be, no matter extra is required, could be supplied from the MP’s private sources as effectively. The request is to not panic. We will all, collectively, overcome this pure calamity,” Singh mentioned.
NC chief Farooq Abdullah mentioned large-scale harm has been reported within the Ramban and Banihal areas.
“The federal government is dashing its ministers to the affected areas and we will even request the Centre for monetary help in order that enough reduction is given to the individuals hit by the catastrophe,” he mentioned.
