Jammu Tawi, June 22: Army rescued over 300 stranded persons as many parts of Jammu-Srinagar national highway were blocked and even washed away due to massive landslides triggered by heavy rain and snowfall on higher reaches. Hundreds of people were left stranded in different districts of the UT. Army was called in at many places to rescue the stranded as the district administrations lacked trained men and machinery.
Reports of shooting stones in Ramban district that did not allow restoration work poured in throughout the day. The strategic highway passes through the district and has many land slide prone areas.
Several internal roads connecting different districts in Jammu division were severed. Lt Col Devender Anand Army PRO in Jammu said “Jammu-Srinagar Highway (NH-44) was blocked due to shooting stones and landslides at several places. At least 400 cars, SUVs, trucks and buses were stuck between Dalwas south of Chenani Tunnel and Banihal. Stranded passengers gave numerous distress calls for rescue to safer places. Area between Ramban and Nachlana has been badly affected. In a swift response, the Indian Army launched two columns of rescue teams from Digdol in the affected areas to evacuate stranded passengers to safe locations. In addition, the Indian Army also provided hot meals and security to 300 stranded passengers throughout Tuesday night, who were stuck near Ramsoo”.
Heavy rains and snowfall at higher reaches since yesterday created havoc in the entire Union Territory throwing the life out of gear. Educational institutions had to be shut owing to road conditions in many districts of J-K.
Many tourists from other states who were unaware of the climatic conditions in J-K were also left stranded on the national highway. Due to heat wave and holidays in schools, thousands of tourists had come to hilly areas of the UT that were witnessing pleasant weather.
Over 25 landslides were reported in different parts of Jammu division especially in Ramban district. Another major road link– Mughal Road – which connects Rajouri and Poonch districts with the Valley was also shut due to landslides.
Mud and slush from adjoining mountains that swept the roads became a cause of several trucks getting stuck in it at Battery Chashma on highway in Ramban. Another landslide near Deval bridge at Samroli in Udhampur district washed away a major part of the National Highway. Officials informed that it could take days to restore the road completely.
The National Highway was blocked due to landslides and shooting stones at multiple locations at Karol, Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, Seri, Battery Chashma, T2, Digdole, Panthyal, Romparhi and Rattanbass. Gool-Ramban road was also blocked due to slide. Ramban administration continued to clear the slides but incessant rains kept on affecting the areas.
District administrations of mountainous districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban sounded high alert and asked not to venture near rivers that were witnessing unusual water flow. In Rajouri army was asked to rescue the nomadic Gujjars who were trapped on higher reaches. Soldiers from 60 Rashtriya Rifles were assigned the duty to secure the nomadic. Tribal Affairs Department stated that in view of incessant rains and snowfall in upper reaches rescue teams have been deputed by Reasi, Kulgam, Ramban and Shopian districts. A statement read that there was no loss of life to anyone. However, loss livestock was reported.
An official spokesperson of police said, “General public of Ramban have been advised not to venture out unnecessarily near river Chenab and other nullahs as there may be an increase in water level. Public has also been advised not to plan travel on NH as it is blocked at many places due to landslides”.
Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Mussarat Islam said that Khari Tehsil has been cut off after approach road caved in due to heavy rains. “Work is going on at many places in the district to restore all major roads” he said. Food was prepared by the administration and served to the stranded people on NH at a community hall in Ramban.
Distress calls were made by tourists stuck at the internal roads. Several vehicles were stuck due to a landslide at Chenani-Sudhmahadev road stretch. It took over six hours to clear the road. Restoration work at Panthyal in Ramban also completed at around 5 pm. ADC, Ramban, Harbans Sharma, who was monitoring road clearance works informed that landslides at 20 locations were cleared in the district by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) by evening.
The Meteorological center at Srinagar in a statement said that weather is improving gradually. “Expect further decrease in rainfall. There are chances of flash flood, landslide and mudslide in low lying areas” the statement read.
