Srinagar, Sep 6 : 120 people have so far lost their lives due to the worst hit floods in Jammu and Kashmir since 1959. Reports also informed that more than 89 people have been killed in Jammu and 11 from Kashmir valley.
The water level of Sindh River increased with the authorities to shifting locals to safer places. It was due to the cloud burst in Bata Kalan area of Ganderbal district that the situation erupted.
Meanwhile the reports maintained that the several areas of central Kashmir including various areas of Sonamar received two feet snowfall. The foot bridge near Sonamarag has also collapsed
The streets of Srinagar also witnessed havoc with the residents of several areas accused that the state authorities turned blind eye towards their plight and no measures were taken by the government over the increasing water level around their localities. The areas of Srinagar including Baghat, Barzulla and various others on Saturday witnessed chaos with the people concerned over the rising water levels. Scores of vehicles and other valuable property has been damaged.
Director Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus when contacted stated that the weather would improve on Sunday onwards and that the state will witness the clear weather for atleast one week. Due to flood furry, power and water supply has been severely affected in various areas of Kashmir.
According to the correspondent, the authorities have pressed into Army, IAF, and Disaster Management force besides police to launch a massive operation to rescue and evacuate over 300 people trapped in flash-floods in Tawi.
Reports maintained that people from scores of villages of south Kashmir’s Khanabal, Kellem Gund in Kulgam and, Patal Bagh Galander and Somber in Pampore said that they are trapped in the floods and so far no one has come to their rescue. “We have women, children and aged persons trapped inside the house and the water is all around,†locals told.
Meanwhile, reports maintained that 11 more people were killed in Jammu region on Saturday with seven more lost their lives in Udampur area due to landslide.
Meanwhile, the state authorities have directed the the sheep and goat breeders to be utmost careful and restrict their movement in view of the prevailing inclement weather and heavy rains.
The breeders, particularly on upper reaches are advised to remain halted at safer places in order to save life of their own and that of their livestock.
They are further advised to contact their nearest First Aid Centre/ Sheep Extension Centre/ Office of Sheep Husbandry Department in case of any help required for their livestock.
A total of 100 students- 60 girls and 40 boys- are stranded in Awantipore University hostels in Pulwama.
According to the police, the girls have been shifted to another hostel which is safer and with the provision of food. They will be sent home once the highways are through.
The situation in the state continues to be grim with a red alert being issued for parts of South Srinagar as the Jhelum has breached its embankment in Pulwama. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the past two days in heavy rains and floods. Traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot highway has been stopped after incessant rain.
The army has pressed into effect in the past 96 hours, 17 fully equipped columns of soldiers to evacuate civilians, repair and reconstruct roads and render first aid.
In specific incidents, 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, the River Chenab has swelled and is flowing to unprecedented levels and the Indian Air Force and Army in Akhnoor in combined rescue operations have been able to save around 65 lives while 15 are getting evacuated.
The army has rescued approximaltely 400 people from Bemina, Panderthan and Lasjan. Approximately 300 civilians have been evacuated from areas around Sopore and Pattan. The Army has rescued 800 people from all across the area of Pampore, Kakpur, Khanabal, Anantnag and Kulgam.
