The flood situation in Jammu & Kashmir is turning grim with every passing hour. On Saturday, 26 more deaths were reported from Udhampur, Poonch and Jammu districts in Jammu division.
In Jammu, flood fury swept away portion of an embankment connecting the newly-constructed bridge over the River Tawi. The district administration also closed down four existing bridges disrupting normal life here. Concertina wires were raised on both sides of the approach roads and barricades were raised to prevent entry of motorists. Regular announcements were made for common people to stay away from bridges amid constantly rising water levels.
Thirteen deaths were reported from Udhampur where people died due to house collapse at different places in Talpad, Rakhbadali, Manthal, latti and Upper Tholawa villages. Seven deaths were reported from Poonch and five people died near Bajalta in Jammu after their shed was hit by a mudslide.
To assess the flood fury on Ground Zero, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with MoS PMO Jitendra Singh conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in Akhnoor and Jourian in Jammu and termed the situation ‘grim’.
Addressing a Press conference at Technical Airport in Jammu, the Home Minister later said, “The situation is worrisome and the Central Government is helping the State extend all possible assistance to the affected population”.
The Home Minister said the Prime Minister has expressed his sympathy and announced that Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia amount would be given to each of next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Meanwhile, due to incessant rains in the region portion of the barbed wire fencing along the International border in Jammu frontier was also submerged in flood waters while 34 uniformed men including 29 from the BSF and 5 from the Indian army were rescued after six border posts were marooned in Akhnoor.
Rail traffic to Katra was also suspended after portion of the rail track was hit by huge mudslides. Some of the tunnels too were waterlogged enroute Katra forcing the Northern Railways to suspend the traffic for the time being.
Hundreds of Katra bound passengers on board Shri Shakti express faced hardships after their train was halted short of Udhampur near Ramnagar railway station for several hours. The pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno devi shrine and other passengers were the worst hit as traffic was not allowed to ply on all these bridges till late evening.
According to Defence Spokesman, “A total of 16 sorties were flown by the Air Force MI 17 IV aircraft rescuing 456 civilians. 29 BSF personal and 05 Army personal on saturday. The Army Aviation flew a total of 08 sorties rescuing 71 BSF personal and 03 Army personal”,he added.So far 11000 civilians have been rescued by the army and out of these 2000 have been provided with food and shelter,defence spokesman said.
The Mata Vaishno devi yatra also remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day while all major state highways remained blocked in Doda, Kishtwar, Rajori and Poonch districts.
The state govt is busy with rescue operations and bringing affected population to safer zomes, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told reporters after reviewing the current situation. He said the govt has arrnaged over 200 boats from all sources to shift the people from water logged areas in Kashmir valley. He urged the central govt to rush tents, blankets and medicines to be distributed among the affected population. When asked whether the destruction due to floods should be declared as Natural calamity as demanded by Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress party, Omar claimed all I want is help from the central govt. “Nomenclature is of no significance.As long as people of my state are extended help by the centre to deal with the situation i would be satisfied”,he added.