Three children among 5 dead in Kathua landslide as heavy rains lash J&K

Rivers and rivulets in many places, especially in Kathua and Samba districts, have reached close to or crossed the flood alert level with the weather office predicting more rains till noon.

Jammu: Three children were among five people killed after several houses were damaged due to landslides triggered by heavy rains in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday. The inclement weather in the region also forced the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and Mughal road for traffic and schools in Doda and Kishtwar districts.

Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rakesh Minhas while confirming the death of the five people said that more people were feared trapped under the debris at Surjan village of Bani tehsil of the district. The administration is providing Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased, the DC said. Meanwhile, heavy overnight rains lashed Jammu division with the local Meteorological Department predicting more rains in the region in coming days.

The massive mudslides and landslides triggered by the rains at several places along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district forcing authorities to suspend traffic, officials said. "The highway is still blocked and people are advised not to travel till the restoration work is completed," a traffic department official said.

Traffic on the Mughal road was also suspended due to the inclement weather even as traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot highway was also diverted in Kathua district where two pillars of a bridge suffered damages due to flash floods in Tarnah nallah. All government and private schools were closed for the day in Doda and Kishtwar districts as a precautionary measure.

Besides, as a precautionary measure, chopper and battery car service at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district was also suspended due to the inclement weather. The Meteorological department fficial advised the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to adhere to the guidelines provided at their respective base camps.

The IMD also predicted the possibility of flash floods in low-lying areas of Jammu and Kashmir. In an advisory, police said due to continuous heavy rainfall, the Chadwal bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway has been closed for traffic. "Dear residents and passengers of Kathua. Due to the recent and continuous heavy rains in the area, we are sorry to inform you that the Chadwal bridge has been damaged. In consequence, this creates a potential threat to all vehicles and pedestrians trying to cross it," the advisory said.