Jammu Tawi, Oct 29: Four persons died and at least 15 others were
injured after two landslides hit in succession at an under-construction
road at Ratle power project in the Kishtwar district late on Saturday. ,
Kishtwar SSP, Shafqat Bhat, who is at the site, said, “Four dead, one
rescued. JCB driver Manoj Kumar's body, along with three others
retrieved. We have rescued another man Vinay Roy from the debris.
Around 10 to 15 others have sustained minor injuries in the two
landslides.”
The operation is over, he added.
The deceased were identified as Police constable Mohammad Yakoob,
son of Fazal Din of Mahi Nagni, Thathri, JCB driver Manoj Kumar, son of
Hari Lal of Gujjer Kothan, Drabhshalla, Sachin Thakur, son of Angrez
Singh of Salana and Moin Ahmed, son of Mohammad Hafiz Matto of
Drabhshalla.
“A landslide hit an under-construction road of Ratle power project site in
Kishtwar on Saturday, trapping several workers, including a JCB driver,
under the debris,” said another police official.
A rescue team was rushed to the site, but another landslide hit the area
that trapped the rescuers, he added.
In the first landslide, Manoj along with three others were trapped in the
debris, and when some people rushed to help them, they were hit by
another landslide trapping all of them.
A police officer at the Kishtwar control room said that the two landslides
occurred at the Drabshalla-Ratle power project, where a road was being
constructed as part of the power project.
The rescue operations are underway, and police have rushed to the spot.
Another official informed that five injured, including a sub-inspector, have
been shifted to Doda government medical college and sub-district
hospital at Thathri.
The official, however, denied reports of tunnel collapse inside the power
project.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep anguish
over the mishap and said that the district administration has been
directed to provide all the necessary assistance.”
“Deeply anguished by mishap at Drabshalla- Ratle hydroelectric project.
My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for
early recovery of injured,” he said in a tweet, adding, “Army, SDRF &
police are carrying out rescue operations. Dist Admin directed to provide
all necessary assistance.”
