STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: The 110 Km long Batote-Kishtwar National Highway, which was closed since last night following landslide at Ragi-Nullah due to heavy rains, was reopened after 17 hours on Sunday and around 250 stranded vehicles were cleared by the traffic authorities.
“The National Highway 1B (NH1B) has been reopened for vehicular traffic after clearance of the landslide,” DySP Traffic NH1B Farooq Ahmad Khan said. Doda District Administration had carried out extensive restoration exercise for various roads hit by landslides leading to blockades and traffic jam, he said.
A major landslide was reported at Ragi-Nullah where beside debris a huge boulder had slided and because of shooting stones clearence work could be only started after 10:00 AM this morning, although machinery has been kept on standby for immediate response.
“Muck, debris and shooting stones again blocked the national highway, which connects twin Districts of Doda and Kishtwar with rest of the State, late last night after 18 hours of closure the previous day due to landslides at half-a-dozen places on Batote – Thathri stretch and restoration operation was launched today morning,” SSP Doda Zahid Naseem Manhas said.
District administration had issued warning about landslide and heavy rainfall and advisory a day before, he said, adding alert was also sounded and officers were kept ready.
Machinery of Roads and Buildings (R&B), Mechanical Department and BRO were mobilised to clear the debris and boulders, he said, adding that after five-hour long operation at Ragi-Nullah, the road was made through for traffic and more than 250 stranded vehicles were cleared.
POONCH: In view of inclement weather in district Poonch, Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Harun, has advised the general public to remain alert and contact the Police Control Room at 01965220258 and I&FC Control Room at 01965220267 in case of any emergency. Police have asked people in Poonch District to stay indoors and avoid going near the water bodies as heavy and incessant rains lashed the region on the third consecutive day today.
Special helplines have also been set up in PCR Poonch and Office of Flood Control and Irrigation Department with the authorities appealing people to call on numbers 01965220258 and 01965220267.
“We have already deputed manpower to Arai village of Mandi where we fear a landslide.
Teams of SDRF and police are on standby to meet any emergent situation,” SSP Poonch JS Johar said.
Mandi to Saujiyan road is closed due to landslide and GREF has been informed to clear the road.
MENDHAR : Due to the continuous rains for the last four days, the water level in the Mendhar Nallah has increased causing a flood-threat in the town. The residents particularly in the area of bus stand, post office, market and the adjoining areas are having sleepless nights.
On the other hand the areas like Jagal, Chhatral, Narh , Kalaban, Pathana Teer in Mankote Tehsil have been cut off from rest of the State due to flood in the Nallah.
People of the area have appealed to the administration to take required steps in this direction so that the people of the area and their properties could be protected from the devastating floods.
RAJOURI: Inmates of at least six houses were shifted to safer places in Kewal village of Budhal area of Rajouri on Sunday over fears of landslides due to heavy rains.
Officials said that an under-construction road from Kewal to Targain village started caving-in due to the torrential rains, following which the people were asked to move to safer places.
“We have vacated six residential houses in danger zone and people have been shifted to other houses in safer areas and district administration has been informed to make necessary arrangements for the affected families,” said a police officer.
Meanwhile, rains were lashing the region when the last reports came in.
Schools to remain close
Udhampur: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, all the schools of the Udhampur district shall remain closed tomorrow due to prevailing bad weather and heavy rains on 14th March 2016.
District administration has issued weather advisory for general public of Udhampur district that the weather is likely to deteriorate on 14th March in whole of the district.
Administration has advised the people not to venture in landslide prone areas and not to go near rivers /nallahs during this period to avoid any untoward incident, due to coming up of heavy rains and thunderstorms in various parts of the district.
People are also advised not to panic, take all necessary precautions and avoid unnecessary travelling during this period.
All the concerned departments related to disaster management have been asked to remain alert.
