Minor among 8 killed in house collapse as rains wreak havoc in J&K; Amarnath yatra suspended

Har ki Pauri is seen partially submerged on the banks of the swollen Tawi river after heavy monsoon rainfall, in Jammu, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. PTI Photo

Eight people including a toddler and two women died in separate incidents of landslides and flash floods triggered by fresh spell of rainfall, which wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

A local news gathering agency reported that around 6 am two houses collapsed in Surjan area of Kathua's Bani due to heavy rains. "Five persons including children and a woman got buried under these houses," said a police officer. Five bodies have been recovered.

The deceased have been identified as three-year-old Arbaz son of Mushtaq Ahmed, Sahabaz (14) son of Mushtaq, and his 45 year old wife Zareen Begum, Nazir Bano (11) daughter and Mohammad Asif (14) son of Abdul Qayum.

In other three separate incidents, a woman identified as Naseema Begum (50) wife of Mohammad Rafiq of Mandhota Tehsil Bani died after coming under a landslide in the Bani area of the district. A class 7 student identified as Ajay Singh (13) son of Mohinder Singh of Sitti Tehsil was buried under a landslide in Bani, while, one person namely Sham Lal (45) son of Tara Chand of Bhukllari also got buried under a landslide and later his body was also retrieved. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Bani Satish Kumar said that there are reports of flash floods and landslides in other areas and rescue teams have been deputed. He has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the deceased and Rs 25,000 for the injured.

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Meanwhile, rains lashed various parts of Jammu damaging roads with all major rivers including Tawi, Chenab, Basanter, Devak and Ujh flowing above the danger mark. Authorities advised people to stay away from low river banks and also ordered the closure of all schools in Kathua, Doda, Rajouri and Kishtwar districts because of heavy rain causing swelling of water bodies.

Vaishno Devi Yatra from the new track and the passage of pilgrims on the Amarnath Yatra were also temporarily suspended.

Officials said that the new track to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been closed due to inclement weather conditions while chopper service has also been suspended in Reasi district, while schools in Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri and upper reaches of Kathua have also been closed given the inclement weather.

They said that a fresh batch of 4,900 pilgrims, which left for Amarnath shrine in Kashmir has been halted at Yatri Niwas Chanderkote in Ramban due to shooting stones and landslides.

Meanwhile, Jammu-Pathankot road in Kathua was also closed in view of the flood-like situation and a bridge on the Tarnah Nallah, Chadwal has suffered damage due to heavy rain. The traffic was being diverted through the border road. Jammu Poonch road also blocked at Tanda Akhnoor and closed for traffic movement. As a precautionary measure Kishtwar-Sinthan Road remained closed for traffic. In Udhampur the rain water entered people's houses.

Minister of State (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a Member of Parliament from Udhampur-Kathua constituency, expressed concern over the damage caused due to rain. "Concerned to learn about the damage caused to Chadwal bridge in Kathua due to flash floods, causing inconvenience to traffic. I immediately got in touch with DC Kathua, Rakesh Minhas as well as the NHAI authorities. My office is constantly following up on the matter for expeditious repair and redressal," the minister informed through his Twitter page.

Moreover, in the backdrop of heavy rainfall and rising water levels in rivers and streams, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar chaired a meeting to review flood management measures and preparedness across the districts of the division. (With inputs from agencies)