Rains, flash floods wreak havoc; highway closed

TNN Bureau. Updated: 8/14/2018 8:57:22 AM Front Page

JAMMU: The overnight rains across the state created havoc as flash floods damaged cars and roads in many parts of the winter capital of the state thus triggering protests and resentment from the locals, even as multiple landslides in Ramban and Udhampur forced closure of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

The ongoing Amarnath Yatra was also a victim of inclement weather as it was suspended from Jammu today. No pilgrim was allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine from Jammu, however, 657 Yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave in Kashmir, taking the total number of Yatris to have performed Darshans of the Shivling to 2,79,535 on the 47th day of this year’s pilgrimage.

The heavy rains lashed in the plains of Jammu on the intervening night of August 12-13, where more than a dozen vehicles including cars, motorbikes were partially damaged while the roads and lanes were also affected.

Areas like Janipura, Canal Road, Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Jewel Chowk, Domana, New Plot were the most hit due to the heavy rains.
The locals however, staged protest and expressed resentment against the successive governments in failing to find out permanent solution to their grievances as every year they face the similar problems.

As water entered in many houses, the electronic gadgets, household items, grocery was completely perished. “It has not happened for the first time as last year too, the flash floods erupted due to rains did damage to our house and many items,” Komal, a student busy in cleaning heaps of mud in Janipura area here said. She said that it was nightmare for the family when they saw vehicles, household items floating in the water.

“The successive governments in the past failed to solve the problem and presently the Governor’s Rule is in the state. We hope that this problem will be sorted out at the earliest and the concerned authorities take come concrete step so that in future such damages do not occur,” Manohar Lal said.

Meanwhile the waterlogged roads and unplanned sewerage lines being laid within the city and poor drainage system invited criticism from the locals.
“So far there is no case of any injury or loss of life has been reported from Jammu district but we have received reports of major damages to the goods and other items from various parts,” said a police official. The water level in the River Tawi also increased due to heavy rains on the upper reaches.

Meanwhile, traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended today after being blocked by multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban and Udhampur districts, officials said.

However, Mughal road is open for two-way traffic.

The nearly 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by landslides at Seri in Ramban district and Kheri in Udhampur district, they said.

They said no damage or casualty was reported in the landslides but it led to a massive traffic jam leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Over 300 vehicles were stranded at various places en route, they said.

The men and machines of BRO are working to clear the highway of landslides and make it trafficable, they said.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was quick to lodge his resentment with Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Twitter.

He shared a picture of the clearing work on a stretch of highway with Gadkari, drawing his attention towards the deteriorated condition of the road.

“This is what the NATIONAL HIGHWAY between the twin capitals of Jammu & Srinagar looks like. @nitin_gadkari ji can you look at the current condition of this road & take measures to address this please. Much obliged jenab,” he tweeted.

Director MeT Sonam Lotus has also predicted more rains in Jammu in the next 24 hours.


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