Eight dead as heavy rains triggered landslides, damage houses in Kathua
LG Manoj Sinha, Dr Jitendra, Azad express grief
STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: Eight people, including five children, were killed after heavy rains triggered landslides and left several houses damaged in Kathua district on Wednesday, officials said.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives in the rain-related incidents and said he had directed the district administration to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident triggered by heavy rains in Kathua, in which a number of persons have lost their lives and many others are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway. I have directed the district administration to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured”.
Union minister Jitendra Singh also took to Twitter to express his sadness about the casualties in his parliamentary constituency due to incessant rains.
Singh said he is in constant touch with the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Kathua Shivdeep Singh Jamwal and said all possible assistance is being provided.
Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in house collapse.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Azad in a condolence statement said, “I am deeply pained and saddened at the loss of precious lives in house collapse and landslides in Bani area of Kathua district. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and the safety of everyone in the situation.”
Urging the administration to intervene by deputing disaster management teams and officials to the spot, Azad also asked his party leadership and workers to help the victims in this hour of need.
“At this hour of grief, I urge DPAP leadership and party workers to immediately intervene and provide timely help to the victims. The administration should depute disaster management teams and officials to the spot and launch rescue and relief operations in the area,” said Azad.
He sought medical intervention and assistance for the injured and prayed for their immediate recovery.
Stressing on remaining alert in the wake of
flash floods and landslides, the former chief minister said he is concerned about the families living in far-flung areas of Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, and Kathua where the situation is grim due to incessant rains which have triggered landslides and disconnected poor people in terms of road blockades and communication disruption.
“Since the major rivers including Tawi, Chenab, Basanter, Devak, and Ujj are flowing above the danger mark, the administration should remain alert to the emerging situation,” Azad cautioned. He sought compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured.
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in house collapse and landslides triggered by incessant rains in the Bani area.
“Death of several people due to excessive rain is sad and painful,” Bhalla said in condolence message. He also inquired about the situation in the Kathua district caused by heavy downpours.
Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas ordered an immediate ex-gratia relief of Rs 50,000 to the kin of the deceased.
“We have eight confirmed deaths in rain-related incidents. The administration is keeping a close watch on the flood-like situation developing in the district,” Minhas told PTI.
Expressing condolences over the loss of lives, he said an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 to those injured was sanctioned.
Braving incessant rains, rescuers comprising police, Army, SDRF and locals worked for hours together to retrieve the bodies of five members of two families from the debris of their houses at Surjan village, he said.
A police official identified the deceased as Zareena Begum (40), her two sons Shahbaz Ahmad (14) and Arbaz (2), Nazia Tabassum (14) and her brother Mohd Asif (12).
At Sitti village, 13-year-old Ajay Singh came under a landslide near his house, while the body of Naseema Begum (55) was also recovered after she came under a landslide near her house at Drangal-Mandote, the official said.
Sham Lal (50) also died after coming under the debris of a landslide at Bhuldi Nallah near Daggar while he was trying to clear a water passage to avoid damage to his house, he said, adding Lal’s body was recovered and handed over to his family. The official said while two houses were completely damaged, several others suffered partial damages due to heavy rains in the district.
A number of low-lying areas especially near the banks of Ujh river and its tributaries were left inundated, prompting police to request people to move to safer places.
