JAMMU, Sept 5: While the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway continued to be blocked near Udhampur, a Government High School building, a vital bridge connecting Dudu Sub Division with Chenani and Latti and three houses collapsed in a massive landslide, whereas, more than 323 houses perished in Mahore including 88 in Jamslan area of the Sub Division in Reasi district where the land is sinking for the last three days.A woman was killed while her husband seriously injured after they were hit by a boulder while travelling on a bike near Kalai bridge in Poonch this evening while the dead body of a washed away man in flood was recovered from Rajouri river near Saranoo today.
As the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway continued to be closed, Project Director, NHAI Udhampur-Ramban Sector, Shubam Yadav said that entire stretch of this National Highway from Banihal up to Thrad near Bali Nalla in Udhampur has been cleared. The highway on the other side, right from Jammu upto Thrad is also clear at present. But this nearly 250 mt stretch has turned headache for us. He said there is need to blast 2-3 big boulders and semi-concrete layer of stones and gravel etc is being laid as there is mud and slush along this patch.
“We have engaged at least 11 machines at this spot. Our men are working till late night. During early hours these boulders will be blasted. We are hopeful to restore highway at least for light motor vehicles by Saturday evening. All types of vehicles will be allowed for one way movement from Sunday,” the Project Director added.
Reports said a massive landslide struck Latti area of Dudu Sub Division in Udhampur district late Wednesday night around 11 PM, causing widespread devastation. There was no communication link to the area and the immediate assistance could not be provided from the district headquarters as the area has been totally cut since Tuesday last.
The Govt High School Latti (Gharat), a two storey building was completely damaged while the main bridge connecting Chenani-Latti-Dudu-Basantgarh was washed away in the slide. The main road in the area has also suffered heavy damage, cutting off vital connectivity.
In addition, three residential houses of Madan Lal and his two sons – Ashok and Pritam were also completely perished with the slide. Two shops in the area, closer to the bridge also suffered massive damage. At least 40 goats/sheep and two cows of these families were also killed in the tragedy. However, locals managed to save their lives in time, preventing any major casualties. The overall loss is being estimated in crores of rupees.
Tehsildar Latti Ashok Kumar, Naib Tehsildar Kuldeep Kumar, DySP Sajjad and SHO Narinder Singh along with Sarpanch Latti- Kasturi Lal Gupta were the first who rushed to the spot and with the help of locals and policemen launched mid-night rescue operation.
The local police and villagers during morning with the help of locals and two JCBs managed to save some belongings of the people. A major portion of the road has also been damaged. At present the communication to the entire Dudu-Basatngarh has been snapped. At least 25 houses completely and nearly 200 partially are said to have been damaged in Latti tehsil during recent rains.
The calamity also left the entire area without electricity and internet services, adding to the hardship of the affected people.
Meanwhile, SDM Mahore, Shafqat Majeed Bhat, told the Excelsior that a total of 323 houses have been fully or partially damaged in Sub Division Mahore due to the incessant rainfall over the past few days.
He said that 88 families have been shifted to safer locations till date from the Jamslan and Sarh and were relocated to Panchayat Ghars and other shelters.
The SDM further stated that all necessary arrangements including medical facilities, food and other essentials have been ensured for the affected families.
Reports from Majalta said that at least 15 houses collapsed in Soundar village and five at Sail near Mansar due to rains. The SHO Majalta revealed that all the affected people have been shifted to the safer locations.
Reports from Rajouri said that body of a washed away villager was found floating in the river in Saranoo area of Kalakote in Rajouri district today.
On receiving the information, police teams immediately rushed to the spot to retrieve the body. SDPO Kalakote, Surinder Mohan, along with his team reached the location and shifted the body to hospital. It was believed that he was washed away in some Nallah and the body reached the river.
