Jammu-Srinagar NH blocked; boy swept away in Doda rivulet
Minor missing after landslide hits houses in Ramban; operation on to trace him: Cops
Following heavy rains that triggered landslides and shooting stones on multiple places, the 250 km long JammuSrinagar national highway (NH-44), the only all weather surface link that connects Kashmir with outside world, was blocked at several places in Ramban district on Monday, said officials.
Consequently, over 200 Kashmir bound trucks carrying essentials were left stranded at Chanderkote and Mehar.
SSP traffic, Jammu-Srinagar national highway, Rohit Baskotra said, “The traffic movement was on till 5 am on Monday but heavy rains this morning triggered landslides, mudslides, muck, shooting stones and slush at Mehar, Dalwas, Gangru, Mom Passi, Panthial and Kishtwari Pathar. A stretch of the road was also damaged at Magarkote.”
The men and machinery of the NHAI are on job but the rains are hampering restoration work, he added.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed Monday following multiple landslides triggered by rains that lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight, officials said. The highway was blocked at Mehar, Gangroo, Mom Passi and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district. The rains are continuing, hampering restoration works, SSP said. He advised people to avoid journey on the highway till weather improves and road is clear. Amid the incessant rains, authorities in Kishtwar have ordered closure of schools in the district. The decision to suspend class work for the day has been taken in the interest of prioritising the safety and well-being of everyone, an official said.
He said efforts are on to restore water supply to Kishtwar town which was snapped following damage to the main water supply pipes of the Naigad Water Supply scheme at Hunjala on Sunday. Police officials said two houses were damaged due to landslide at Basha-Simbool village, while dozens of livestock perished in incidents of lightning and flash floods in Ramban and Samba districts overnight.
Landslide hits two houses in Ramban’s Maitra
Amid rains a landslide hit two houses houses in Karool (Kala Pani) area of Ramban on Monday.
“A minor boy Mohammad Ayoub, aged around 8 to 10 year, son of Hassan Mir was hit by the slide. A rescue operation has been launched to trace the boy,” said a police officer.
Mughal Road remains closed for 3rd day in row
Mughal road, an alternate route linking Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu with south Kashmir’s Shopian district, remained closed for the third day owing to snowfall in Peer Ki Gali and adjoining areas.
At least six houses were also damaged in landslide in Kishtwar. Gandhari village of Padder in Kishtwar bordering Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall. A school and a house were also damaged in Kuchhal area of Kishtwar district. Another house was damaged in Bedar area of Poonch district. The weather man has forecast generally cloudy with light to moderate rain with thunder at many places for Tuesday.
Vaishno Devi Yatra on, chopper service suspended
Despite inclement weather conditions, the Vaishno Devi Yatra remained unaffected. However, helicopter service from Katra to Sanji Chhat and vice versa was suspended in view of bad weather, said officials.
Police alert issued
The police also issued an alert in Reasi district for the people and advised them to stay at their homes till weather improved.
“Due to inclement weather conditions rain/ thunder storm /snowfall in district Reasi, all inhabitants are requested to stay inside their houses and stay away from water bodies,” read the advisory issued here.
In case of any emergency, the residents have been advised to contact the emergency numbers.
13-year-old swept away in swollen rivulet in Doda
A 13-year-old boy was swept away in the strong currents of a seasonal rivulet in Dessa area of Doda district said officials. The deceased was identified as Firdous Ahmed, son of Mohammad Qasim of Kunta village. “The boy was crossing a rivulet along with his cattle when he slipped into it and was swept away in the strong currents of the water. It has been raining in the region for the past 3 days,” said a police officer.
A search operation was launched to trace the boy.