People are troubled by floods in Kathua of Jammu and Kashmir. Flash floods following heavy rains washed away the old Samba-Kathua road, cutting off connectivity with many villages. Local people say their crops are in danger and they are struggling for food and water.
Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [भारत]July 22 (ANI): Residents in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Tuesday expressed their anguish over waterlogging and floods in the area. They claimed that frequent floods had damaged their resources and endangered their crops. A large part of the old Samba-Kathua road in Sahar Khad has been washed away following flash floods caused by heavy rains. Traffic is suspended, due to which communication with nearby villages has been cut off.
Mohammad Ali, a local resident, said the situation has become critical and people are struggling to arrange for essentials like food and water. He said, “The situation is very bad; these conditions have devastated us. We are in great distress and we have no other way out. We have put everything we have here and our resources are exhausted. Our people are hungry and we have to provide them food and water.”
Pointing to the rising water level in the area, Ali said, “Look at the water level here – how much water there is. Last time too the area was flooded, but the government did nothing to resolve the issue; they just added some soil, which washed away.” He further said, “Now there is danger below where the crops are; everything below can be destroyed.”
Another resident said an existing structure meant to manage water was broken and was not repaired, causing frequent problems. The resident said, “A structure was built for water management, but it broke down and was not repaired. There is a need to build a proper embankment or barrier here. Same thing happened last year; the water washed away everything. Many villages are affected; everyone is in distress.”
Heavy rain in Rajouri also, administration issued advisory
Meanwhile, Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir also received heavy rain since Tuesday morning, after which the district administration and Rajouri Police have issued an advisory asking residents to remain alert. There is a possibility of increase in the water level of rivers and danger of flash floods, landslides and waterlogging.
The district administration advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during this period of heavy rains and urged them to stay away from rivers, streams and flood prone areas. Residents have also been asked not to attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges and to follow weather updates and instructions issued by the administration.
As per the public advisory, people have been requested to stay indoors unless travel is essential and cooperate with the administration. In case of any emergency, residents have been asked to immediately contact the local administration or emergency services.
Rajouri police also issued an urgent advisory, warning that continuous heavy rains could lead to a rapid rise in the water level of rivers in the district. “Due to heavy rains in the areas of Rajouri, there is a possibility that the water level in the rivers will rise rapidly,” the advisory said.
The police further appealed to the residents to remain on full alert and immediately vacate the river banks and landslide-prone areas. “All residents are advised to remain fully alert and immediately vacate all river banks, landslide-prone areas and not come out of homes unless absolutely necessary,” the advisory issued by Rajouri police said. (ANI)
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