JAMMU, Aug 30: At least 11 people, including seven of a family died and one went missing in two incidents of cloudburst and landslide, triggered by heavy rains in remote villages of Reasi and Ramban districts, while Jammu- Srinagar National Highway which was partially restored after four days for some time to clear stranded vehicles today was again blocked.Most of the areas of Jammu region including the Temple City, are reeling under severe water crisis while power supply to many areas could not be restored till date. Many roads are still closed but worst is the condition of road connectivity in Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua districts. Entire Mahore Sub Division is without power supply for the last four days.
Reports from Reasi said that a landslide flattened a house in the remote Badder village in Gulabgarh area of Mahore Sub Division in Reasi district last mid night, killing seven members of a family. The tragedy struck when the family unaware of the danger, was fast asleep in their house located on a mountain slope. They all were buried alive under the debris amidst heavy rain.The deceased have been identified as Nazir Ahmad (38), his wife Wazira Begum (35) and their sons Bilal Ahmed (13), Mohd Mustafa (11), Mohd Adil (8), Mohd Mubarak (6) and Mohd Wasim (5).
Immediately after the incident the neighbours came to know about the tragedy and informed other people at the village. Heavy rain and fear of further landslide delayed the rescue work in the darkness. People also informed Mahore police about the matter.
During morning hours the villagers removed the bodies from the debris. The police and civil administration from Mahore also arrived at the village during the day.
Meanwhile, the pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday after landslide tragedy at Adhkunwari claimed 35 lives.
In Ramban district, five people, including two brothers, died after a cloudburst struck a remote village Drubla in Rajgarh area, damaging two houses and a Government school. The cloudburst triggered flash floods in the mountainous Rajgarh, located about 30 kilometres from the district headquarters, at around 12.30 midnight.
“Bodies of four people were recovered from the debris after a hectic search by locals, police and SDRF men,” Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Mohd Alyas Khan said.
The Deputy Commissioner Ramban along with Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta, reached the spot along with police and SDRF men during early morning to supervise the rescue and relief operation.
The officials identified the deceased as Ashwani Sharma (27), his brother Dwarka Nath (59), niece Virta Devi (29) and their guest Om Raj (42), a resident of Banshara in Rajgarh. The rescuers are searching for Sharma’s sister-in-law, Vidya Devi (50), wife of Triloki Nath, resident of Gadigran Kumate in Rajgarh.
“The cloudburst occured on the hilltop near the primary school and created a fast-flowing stream through the Drubla-Gadigran village, washing away two residential houses, a cowshed and the school building,” a local said.He said at least six cattle also perished in the cloudburst. The people of the area and SDRF men were searching for missing woman’s body.
He lauded the district administration and the quick reaction team of local volunteers led by Bashir Ahmad Magray for the prompt response to the calamity.
“The district administration is on high alert and is extending all possible assistance to the affected families,” Khan said.
Officials said a village Karalana situated downstream comprising 20 families were shifted to safer places as a precaution in Ramsu by the Sub Divisional administration Ramsu with the help of Police and local volunteers this evening.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed grief over the incidents and assured all possible assistance to the affected families.
In a post on X, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed anguish over the devastation caused by the cloudburst and rain-triggered landslides in Reasi and Ramban. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured affected people of providing them all possible assistance.
Taking note of the incessant heavy rains, the Chief Minister appealed to people to remain alert, avoid vulnerable areas, and strictly adhere to safety advisories.
Omar has instructed the departments concerned to remain vigilant, coordinate closely with each other, and take every precautionary measure to safeguard lives during the ongoing inclement weather.
Former Chief Minister and DPAP Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed grief over the loss of lives and stressed the need for providing immediate relief and assistance to the affected families.
A Meteorological department official said Bhaderwah town in Doda district recorded the highest 51.6 mm of rainfall till 8.30 am, followed by Katra 42 mm, Kathua 32 mm and Batote-Ramban 16.8 mm.
The official forecast moderate to heavy rain with brief intense showers at many places over Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda, Samba and Udhampur till 9 pm on Saturday and warned of likely flashfloods or landslides at a few vulnerable places. He predicted hot and humid weather from Sept 3 for next five days.
Many areas of Jammu city are reeling under severe water crisis. The people alleged that PHE authorities have limited number of water tankers. Moreover, private tankers are not being allowed to fetch water from the Government owned water sources. Many areas of City including Dhouthali, Pacci Dakki, Udheywalla, New Plot, Janipur, Ploura etc are without water supply. The power supply could not be restored in Udheywalla near Rama Krishna Mission complex.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was reopened for stranded vehicles on Saturday after being closed for four days due to multiple landslides and caving-in of a 60-meter stretch in Udhampur district following record rainfall earlier this week. But hardly after two hours the road was again blocked near Samroli due to sinking of highway and also a slide in Ramban sector.
DIG Traffic, Jammu, Dr Haseeb Mughal said that Jammu-Srinagar highway was restored partially to clear some stranded trucks and other vehicles towards Valley with essentials, but hardly 250 vehicles could be cleared for Valley as the highway was again blocked due to a slide and sinking of road near Samroli between Udhampour and Chenani Tunnel. He said massive damage has been caused due to recent rains to the highway neart Bali Nallah and three-four other locations between Udhampur and Chenani.
“The restoration work along the highway has been launched on war footing. Sinking of a hill near Samroli is major cause of concern. The major land slides in Ramban sector have been cleared but another fresh one will also be cleared by tomorrow. We are hopeful of restoring one way traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway by tomorrow afternoon. He said more than 3000 vehicles bound for Kashmir are stranded in Jammu area. “More than this number are stranded in Punjab ahead of Lakhanpur. We will try to clear these vehicles within next 2-3 days,” the DIG Traffic said.
Mughal further said that Mughal Road that links Poonch and Rajouri districts with south Kashmir’s Shopian, and the Sinthan Top road that links Kishtwar district in Jammu and South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have been cleared. The six- wheel trucks are being allowed via Mughal Road for Kashmir and back.
There was a mudslide near Parna-Chingam along the Sinthan Top road, but it was cleared by the officials and made motorable this morning, he said.
He said traffic is also plying on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, with restrictions though one tube each of Sahar Khad and Lakhanpur-Madhopur bridges remained closed and traffic was diverted to the second tube.
Meanwhile, a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains hit the Khuni Nallah area of Ramban district last night, blocking the flow of the Bichalri Nallah.
Reports said debris have dammed up the river, and with water accumulating, the villages downstream, especially the Karalana hamlet are now under the threat of flood.
A video of the landslide has gone viral on social media. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, but the risk is not so high.
