[Photo: Aman Farooq/GK]
By Khalid Gul / Showket Dar
Islamabad/Anantnag, J & K, India, (Greater Kashmir): Incessant rains wreaked havoc in many parts of South Kashmir on Thursday, causing damage to private property, bridges and road infrastructure, reports and witnesses said.
The VaishawNallah waters—which had wreaked havoc during September 2014 floods and washed away many villages in Kulgam district—again went roaring.
An official said many bridges and diversions—constructed after the last year’s floods—were damaged again due to fresh flashfloods in the district. These include Brazloo diversion, DH-Pora-Kulgam diversion, Adijan Bridge, and a portion of Nehamabridge, he said.
He said Devsar road, Kulgam-Qazigund road, Kulgam-Chamgund road were also damaged. “Nunthal water supply scheme was also completely damaged,” the official said.
He said two houses and a Government School in Laisoo also collapsed due to flashfloods.
“In Chamgund village, 12 members of a family who were trapped amidst VaishawNallah were rescued,” another official said.
Several areas in KaimohKulgam were completely submerged due to overflowing Vaishawriver. These included Khudwani, Batpora, Kharpora, Nawbal and Nowpora.
Meanwhile, dozens of families from Manigam village were shifted to safer places after it submerged late Wednesday night.
The village got inundated after water level in NallahYeth-Yetru increased suddenly at Kund and its adjoining villages.
The floods also reportedly damaged paddy and agricultural land in several villages.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, RK Bhat, said, “The flashfloods caused huge damage but the situation is now under control after a halt in rainfall.”
ANANTNAG
Two residential houses and a cowshed were washed away in flashfloods in YK Pora area of Qazigund late Wednesday night due to increase in waters in SandranNallah, an official said.
However, there were no reports of any casualties.
Several villages in Mirbazar area including Zadroo, Mughal, Ruh were also submerged.
Meanwhile, panic gripped Anantnag (Islamabad) town with people, especially shopkeepers, seen shifting their merchandise to safer locations.
Dangerpora, Achajipora and Danter areas of the town have been submerged due to overflowing of Brengi and SandranNallahs, locals said.
Many villages located on the banks of Vaishawriver and Jehlum—Shamsipora, Hussanpora, Uranhall, Aadar—were completely submerged.
“A bridge diversion at Larkipora village was washed away by flashfloods, disconnecting Dooru with Anantnag,” locals said.
Sangam and Halmula areas on Srinagar-Anantnag highway were also inundated.
Meanwhile, most parts of Anantnag town got submerged due to overflowing Aaripat, Ladi-Laizbal irrigation canal and overflowing river Jhelum.
Dangerpora, JanglatMandi, MattanAdda, MehandiKadal, Ashajipora, SK Colony, Laizbal, Bakhshibad, Danter and Bangidar areas of the town were completely submerged.
PULWAMA
Flashfloods washed away at least seven road diversions in Pulwama district, disconnecting scores of villages. Flood water entered many low-lying areas and away diversions at Rahmoo, Chandrigaam, Batgund, Bargama and AchanHeff.
Many Tral areas were disconnected after diversions were washed away by flashfloods, locals said.
Flood water entered places like Chersoo, Chachikoot, Kadlabal, Drangbal and Kakapora, bringing traffic on Srinagar-Pulwama highway to halt.
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the highway for many hours and later diverted from Tral to Awantipora.
Flood water entered residential areas of Patalbagh, Kakapora, Kanilbagh, Galandar, Kanndizaal, Nayaina, Gulozarpora, Chersoo, Khelan areas, with people there shifting to safer places. However many of them have returned back after the water level came down.
Reports said Jhelum embankment near Dhrangbal and Kakapora breached and water entered into residential areas. However locals managed to block the breach.
Rain water also accumulated rail tracks near Qazigund, forcing the authorities to suspend the train service.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/flood-fear-haunts-kashmir-again/190309.html