Four persons including a mother-son duo died in Kashmir Valley in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst sending shock waves among people frightened by last year’s devastating floods.
The cloudburst hit Kullan Village on Srinagar-leh National Highway near Sonamarg, around 70 kilometers from here. The cloudburst triggered massive flash floods washing away hutments, trees and houses. Sources said that three villages situated between 68 and 73 kilometer marks from Srinagar-Kullan, Ganangir and Sonamarg were hit by the cloudburst at around 6 pm on Thursday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Central Kashmir and ladakh Range) Ghulam Hassan Bhat said that bodies of 15-year-old girl Iqra and 8-year-old boy Aqib have been recovered from the Kullan nallah affected by the cloudburst. However, the joint rescue team of State Police, Army and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) could not trace Iqra’s mother, 35-year-old Rukhsana and her infant son Moomin, who were washed away. Rukhsana’s hutment was completely washed away by the flash flood. The police have recovered another body of an unidentified person from Sindh nullah in the vicinity.
Bhat, who accompanied Rural Development Minister Abdul Haq Khan to take stock of the situation in the area and monitor rescue operations, said that around 60 mud houses have been completely damaged in the disaster while 200 more houses have suffered partial damages. The crops spread over150 kanals of land in the Kullan village have also been damaged. The State Government has announced ex gratia relief of Rs1.5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
The vital Srinagar-leh national Highway was blocked and efforts were on to restore the crucial highway that remains closed during winter months. Meanwhile, the Army mobilised rescue teams including two columns of Army Engineers and Border Roads columns to provide succour to the stranded people and restoration of communications.
General Officer Commanding of Srinagar based XV Corps lt Gen Subrata Saha said that 11 Quick Reaction Teams were working relentlessly at different places along the route and helping the locals and Amarnath Yatris. The affected people are being provided with shelter, food and medical care. A camp has been established at the Kullan High School in which all assistance is being rendered to the people.
The State administration has geared up men and machinery to restore water, power and telecommunication facilities in the affected area. Kashmir Flood Control Department Chief Engineer Mir Javed said that water levels in river Jhelum were running at safe levels in south, central and north Kashmir.
Meanwhile, a porter died when he was struck by lightning in Panjtarni area along the traditional Pahalgam route. The deceased was identified as Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh.
The weatherman has predicted light to moderate rainfall in Kashmir Valley during next three days.