look news india
Very painful and shocking pictures of the havoc of nature are emerging from the Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir. Heavy torrential rains, flash floods and massive landslides on Sunday have caused massive devastation in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The strong flood of water, debris and stones coming from the mountains engulfed dozens of houses in no time. At least 14 people have died so far in this natural disaster, while the search for many people buried under the debris is going on. In view of the seriousness of the situation, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Amarnath and Shiv Khodi Yatras in Katra have been temporarily stopped as a precautionary measure. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has cut short his Delhi visit and reached Jammu immediately.
8 people of same family swept away due to cloud burst in Surankot
The most horrifying picture of this tragedy was seen in Lower Murah village located in Surankot tehsil of Poonch district. Here there was sudden flood due to cloud burst at around 3:30 in the morning. Mohammad Latif, a resident of the village, had just come out of his house to park his SUV at a safe place when his three-storey house built near the drain collapsed like a house of cards. In this accident, 8 members of his family present inside the house were swept away by the debris and strong current of water. So far, the bodies of 60-year-old Bano Bi and 2-year-old innocent Sufiyan have been recovered, while the rescue operation by the Army and SDRF is going on to search for 6 other members of the family.
Jammu-Srinagar highway closed and rivers on high alert
The Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert of heavy rain and bad weather for the next three days in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to heavy landslide, traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has come to a complete standstill. Here, due to the opening of the gates of Salal Hydroelectric Project in Reasi and Bagliad Dam in Ramban, the water level of Chenab River has reached near the danger mark, after which a flood alert has been issued in the entire Jammu division. There is also news of death of four more people due to flood in Sangla village.
Indian Army’s brave rescue amid swollen rivers
Amidst the massive devastation, the Indian Army’s ‘White Knight Corps’, police and disaster management teams have rescued hundreds of people by risking their lives. Soldiers wisely rescued three children trapped near Peer Kho temple when the water level of Tawi river suddenly increased in Jammu. The army has rescued 11 civilians, including 5 children, who were trapped in the floods on the banks of Dhangri river and Thanamandi in Rajouri. In Rajouri district, about 90 percent of the Bela bus stand has been washed away and electricity and water supply has come to a standstill in hundreds of houses.
Network stalled and property worth crores destroyed
According to the administrative report, so far more than 93 houses, 17 schools and 24 water mills have been completely damaged in this disaster. In Rajouri also, 42 houses and 56 vehicles have been heavily damaged. Mobile networks of Airtel and BSNL have come to a complete halt in the affected areas, due to which relief operations are facing difficulties. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called an emergency meeting at the Jammu Civil Secretariat, while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, expressing deep sorrow over this accident, has issued strict instructions to immediately take the affected people to safe places and provide all possible financial assistance.