At least 37 civilian deaths were reported from across Jammu division on Friday even as there was no respite from the rain fury for the third consecutive day.
According to official sources, 21 deaths were reported from Rajouri district alone while 12 people were feared dead in Poonch, four in Chasana area of Mahore in Reasi and one death was reported from Kastigarh area of Doda on Friday.
Due to torrential rains in Thanamandi area of Rajouri district, 13 civilians were buried alive in old Thanamandi area of Rajouri after massive mudslides hit their mud houses. Twelve people were reported dead in Poonch in Hill Kaka area after mud houses of nomads perished after hit by landslides in remote hilly area. According to official sources, house of Nazarat Hussain of ward no 7 in old Thanamandi was hit by mudslide where at least 13 relatives including his wife and children were buried alive.
Rescue teams rushed to the spot and worked over time to recover the dead bodies from the mud debris with active support from local villagers and others. Three people perished in Kotranka, two in Rajouri, 1 each in Kalakote, Sunderbani and Darhal,official sources said. Following incessant rains in the region, the Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Friday. A large number of stranded pilgrims were politely advised by the shrine board authorities to reschedule their pilgrimage in view of the inclement weather conditions.
Deputy CEO Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Dr Mandeep Bhandari in a statement claimed, “to ensure safety of the pilgrims along the hilly track. The Yatra has been suspended since 4 pm on Thursday and would be resumed after improvement in the weather conditions along the track”. On the other hand, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and roads connecting hilly districts of Doda and Kishtwar remained out of bounds following massive landslides at several places between Udhampur and Ramban. Several bridges have been washed away in Poonch and Rajouri. According to reports, over 10 school buildings and half a dozen houses were washed away in flash floods in the area.
Major rivers including Chenab in Akhnoor, Tawi in Jammu, Ujh in Kathua and Suran in Poonch were flowing above danger mark and the local population living in the nearby areas have been evacuated by the district administrations to prevent any loss of life.The frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch were worst affected as large number of water supply schemes and power supply has been snapped due to rain fury.
Meanwhile, to rescue stranded villagers and those affected by flash floods, the Indian Army has also pressed at least 18 columns in Jammu division. According to Ministry of Defence spokesman in Jammu, “In the last 72 hrs with no letup in the huge down pour and inclement weather across Jammu Division, the Army in close coordination with Civil Authorities under Operation MEGH RAHAT has been able to rescue about 1100 civilians, large no of live stock from the wrath of the huge deluge engulfing the entire area”.
“The proactive columns of the Army have been able to rescue around 300 civilians from Mandi, Saujiyan, Doda and Bamwat. In the area of Akhnoor, Chenab has swelled and is flowing to unprecedented levels and the Air Force and Army in Akhnoor in combined rescue operations have been able to save around 80 lives,the defence spokesman said.
Around 200 lives were saved in the areas of Manyarwala, Sankari, Dalogra and Nazian by CIF ‘R’. The 18 columns of Army working in Areas around Banihal and Navapanchchi have been able to save around 220 civilians from the onslaught of Bichlari Nala and Warwana Nala.
The Army columns are working round the clock in Areas of Kandoli Nala, Dhari in Rajouri and Poonch, in Khour, Channi, Sitrila, Mawa Korora and Chak Sikinda near Akhnoor where around 200 civilians are reportedly stranded. In the area of Thanamandi Army columns are active in langiot, Bigali, Tangri and old Thana Mandi rescuing people.
Defence Spokesman said, “The Army’s BRTF is working round the clock with its specialised equipment including JCBs, Dozers and excavators to open the NH 44 which has been closed for civil traffic. While connectivity between Akhnoor and Naoshera is open to traffic, work on road Naoshera-Rajouri is still on which is likely to be opened soon.”
leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived in Jammu and visited several flood affected areas and interacted with the affected population. Several hundred people living in illegal colonies on the banks of river Tawi were shifted to safer places after Azad directed the local authorities to prevent loss of precious human life. These colonies had come up on state land in violation of the rules and were illegally occupied by the people.