JK News Today
Jammu , July 19 Heavy rains and floods caused house collapses in hilly areas of Kathua district and closure of Jammu- Srinagar highway.
The rains and landslides also led to suspension of Amaranth and Vaishno Devi yatras.
*Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Yatra suspended; Schools in Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Kathua hilly belt closed; Officials
“Two houses belonging to Mushtaq Ahmed and Abdul Qayum collapsed in Surjan Morha Aruad Block in Bani due to heavy rainfall. Five persons including children got buried under these houses,” said Station House officer of Bani Police Station.
He said that bodies two person who have been identified as Tabseem Bano and Mohammad Arif have been recovered, while rescue operation was under way to retrieve other three including Zareen Begum, Sahabaz and Arbaz.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua Shivdeep Singh Jamwal also confirmed the incident and said that a massive rescue operation was underway.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident a woman identified as Naseema Begum wife of Mohammad Rafiq of Mandhota Tehsil Bani died after coming under a landslide in the Bani area of the district.
In another incident, a class 7th student identified as Ajay Singh son of Late Mohinder Singh of Sitti Tehsil was buried under a landslide in Bani, while, one person namely Sham Lal son of Tara Chand of Bani also got buried under a landslide and later his body was also retrieved.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Bani Satish Kumar said that there are reports of flash floods and landslides in other areas and rescue teams have been deputed.
He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the deceased and Rs 25,000 for the injured.
Meanwhile, rains lashed various parts of Jammu damaging roads with all major rivers including Tawi, Chenab, Basanter, Devak and Ujj flowing above the danger mark.
Officials said that 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.
They said that a fresh batch of 4900 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 in Tarnah Nullah and a bridge on the Tarnah Nallah has suffered damage due to heavy rains.
