Rajouri: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and National Conference MP Mian Altaf escaped unhurt in two separate mudslide incidents along the Jammu-Poonch National Highway amid incessant rains on Wednesday, officials said.
Deputy CM Choudhary and MP Altaf were travelling to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to oversee relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of flash floods and landslides that claimed several lives and caused extensive damage to public infrastructure as well as private property.
At least 23 persons lost their lives and seven others are missing in rain-related incidents in Jammu region since Sunday. The worst-hit Poonch accounted for 17 deaths, Rajouri and Doda districts three each.
The officials said a mudslide occurred at Chingus-Rajouri when the cavalcade of the deputy chief minister was passing through the road, prompting the vehicles to stop.
After assessing the situation and ensuring it was safe to proceed, the cavalcade resumed its journey without any untoward incident, they said, adding the road is being cleared of the debris to restore smooth traffic movement on the highway.
Altaf, however, had a much narrower escape as his official vehicle got trapped in the middle of the road as mud and debris rapidly engulfed the stretch at Madana near Surankote in Poonch district, the officials said.
With the situation deteriorating, the MP was forced to abandon the vehicle and rush to safety, the officials said.
The road clearance agency promptly deployed an earthmover, enabling the vehicle to safely negotiate the mudslide-hit stretch and continue its journey.
