Flash floods, landslides hit J&K after heavy rainfall

Ramban/Bhadarwah/Jammu, June 22: Heavy rains lashed parts of Jammu & Kashmir Wednesday, triggering flashfloods and landslides that blocked the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway with hundreds of vehicles stranded, and prompted authorities to shut schools in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.
A non-fatal incident of house collapse was also reported from Ramban district, while five people trapped in flashfloods in river Ans in Reasi district were rescued by the police, officials said.
The Doda district administration has declared high alert in several areas in the mountainous district.
“We have been forced to declare high alert in areas close to river Chenab and its tributaries, and also on slopes and slide-prone areas of Ramban and Doda districts,” an official said.
The 270-kilometers Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for a second consecutive day on Wednesday due to over 30 landslides and mudslides triggered by the heavy rains in Ramban-Udhampur sector, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, officials said.
The traffic on Mughal Road, an alternative link connecting the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu Region with south Kashmir’s Shopian district, was also suspended due to landslides en route, they said. Besides Doda, the deputy commissioners of Ramban and Kishtwar districts have also ordered the closure of all educational institutions up to higher secondary level including private schools for the day, an official said.
“All schools across Ramban district, including higher secondary schools, shall remain closed today in view of the heavy rainfall and overflowing of nallahs and mudslides at several locations,” Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mussarat Islam said in a tweet.
The high-altitude areas, meanwhile, have witnessed snowfall triggering cold wave conditions, according to officials.
“The decision was taken in view of heavy rainfall resulting in flash floods and mudslides beside there was warning related to adverse weather with indication of another spell of heavy rainfall during the day today which may lead to landslides and shooting stones,” said ADC Bhadarwah Dil Mir Choudhary. (PTI)