In Jammu and Kashmir the Rajouri town was hit by flash floods following incessant overnight rainfall, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas, including the new bus stand at Bela Colony early today.
Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged after overflowing rivers breached their banks, causing widespread disruption.
The rescue and relief teams, assisted by the local administration, were engaged in evacuating affected families and assessing the heavy damage to public and private property in the flash floods.
As a weather advisory warned of moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir till July 23, the border district of Rajouri experienced relentless rain from Saturday evening, leading to overflowing rivers and streams after a night of heavy downpour.
All the rivers of Rajouri, including Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola, got flooded, with most of the rivers flowing close to or even above the danger mark, leading to the submerging of many low-lying areas.
The Darhali River breached the flood protection wall near Bela Colony in Rajouri town, allowing floodwaters to gush into the new bus stand, where dozens of vehicles were washed away or submerged.
The flooding also severely affected the slum settlement near Abdullah Bridge, forcing over 50 families to flee as water inundated homes and surrounding areas. Floodwaters also inundated the locality near Tariq Bridge, prompting the police to respond to numerous distress calls and assist residents in evacuating to safer locations away from the riverbanks.
The police teams were seen patrolling vulnerable areas, making public announcements and urging residents living along riverbanks and in low-lying localities to evacuate immediately in view of the lurking threat of flooding due to the weather forecast.
The district administration has issued an advisory urging residents to remain vigilant, while the police have set up control rooms to monitor the evolving situation and provide assistance to people affected by the flooding.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Divisional Administration, Katra, has set up a control room for monsoon disaster management to ensure prompt response and effective coordination.
The control room has been set up in view of the prevailing monsoon conditions and the risk of emergencies arising from heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, waterlogging and road blockages.
The Control Room will maintain a round-the-clock watch over the monsoon situation, receive and record reports regarding heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, damage to property and disruption of roads, electricity and drinking water supply.
It will also ensure timely communication of situation reports to higher authorities for necessary action. Residents and other stakeholders can contact the Katra Monsoon Control Room at 01991-295681 in case of any rain-related emergency or for reporting incidents requiring immediate attention.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah today spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take stock of the flood situation in Rajouri district following heavy overnight rainfall. Mr Shah assured them of all possible assistance from the central government to ensure the safety and security of those affected.
