At least 200 tourists from Gujarat have been stranded in Srinagar and other places in Jammu & Kashmir due to devastating floods in the State. The travel operators informed that most of the Gujarati tourists have been stranded in Srinagar and Pahelgav following heavy water logging on roads.
Travel operator Mahesh Shah in Ahmedabad said that the tourists have been forced to take shelter at Srinagar and Pahelgav as water advanced nearly 8 to 10 feet on the main roads.
“As many as seven members of Ahmedabad based Gupta family went to Jammu & Kashmir tour and were supposed to return by Sunday evening. However, due to devastating floods following heavy rain in Kashmir Valley, they had to stay back in Srinagar,” said a tour operator, adding that 72 tourists from Kheda district have been stranded in Srinagar and five members of Gandhi family of Navsari town have taken shelter at Pahelgav.
Tour operator Alap Modi said that around 50 people including tourists went through his travel agency and his two managers as well as cooking staff had to extend their stay and they were shifted to hotels situated on higher terrain with the help of CRPF personnel.
“As they have been accommodated near CRPF camp, it is difficult to keep continuously in touch with them. CRPF has installed jammers, so connectivity is a major issue. Some of the tourists have been in Pahelgav, where electricity supply has been disconnected. As a result of it, they are not approachable. Relatives and friends of stranded tourists are constantly inquiring about them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mukesh Damor, a Jawan in the Indian Army died in the J&K flood near ladakh area. Damor hails from Kodiavada village in the newly carved Arvalli district. Sources in the deceased family said that Mukesh died due to land slide. His body was found beneath a mound of ice and is expected to come to his village by Tuesday morning, said Ramanbhai Damor, uncle of deceased.