Rain wreaks havoc in Jammu, 3 killed

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 26

Three persons were today killed in separate rain-related incidents across Jammu region, while several houses, bridges and roads were damaged in heavy rain and flashfloods in the past 24 hours.

A 35-year-old man, along with his cattle, was killed after the cattle shed collapsed in the Manjakote area of Rajouri district. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Shokit, a resident of Kaller Mora Mendhar, who was currently residing in Gola Nari, Kotli Kalaban, in Manjakote tehsil of Rajouri. His body was later retrieved from the debris by locals.

NH closed for 2nd day

• The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed at Dalwas for the second day on Wednesday as heavy rain triggered fresh landslides at different places.
• “The restoration work has been stalled. It will resume only after rain stops. The falling stones in the vulnerable Panthial area is another major problem for clearance of road for traffic,” said PK Phonsa, Project Director, NHAI, Ramban.

In Udhampur, Hamid Mohammad, a resident of Parand Moungri, died due to lightening in the Sapore area. “Another man died in a related incident in Mahore area. Our teams are on the job to retrieve the body,” Reasi Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib told The Tribune.

Chib said several dhoks (temporary shelters) of nomads in upper reaches had been damaged in heavy rain, while some cattle also perished. “A house also collapsed in Katra area,” the DC said.

In Poonch, a Tata Sumo was stuck in a flashflood at a culvert in Chatral river in Mendhar subdivision. Locals raised an alarm and rescued the passengers and the driver from the flooded river.

Reports from Rajouri also claimed that water level increased in the Suktoh and Darhali rivers. It caused damage to several “kucha” houses and roads in the district. A footbridge was also damaged. “We are still assessing the losses,” said Rajouri Additional Deputy Commissioner Thakur Sher Singh.

In Kathua, at least 13 residential houses were partially damaged following a landslide in Basohli area, while 15 nomads were rescued along with their livestock after flashflood in the Ujh river.

In Jammu city, several “jhuggis” were washed away after a flashflood in a nullah in Narwal area. A retaining wall was also damaged near yard number 7 of Transport Nagar.

An important bridge over the Balole nullah connecting Digiana area with Bishnah was also washed away in flashfloods, snapping road connectivity to several villages. Several areas in Jammu city were inundated in floodwater after several nullahs breached the protection walls.