66 killed in J&K flood

Property worth crores have been damaged while hundreds of areas submerged in flood waters and dozens of bridges were washed away by the gushing waters.

The steep rise in the water level of the river Jehlum triggered an unprecedented flood situation across Jammu and Kashmir, submerging hundreds of dwelling houses, sweeping away livestock and property that created panic among people.

State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held an on-spot review of the situation and he emphasized upon the administration to take all necessary measures to safeguard people in the flood-hit areas.

A government spokesperson said that at least 20 deaths have been reported from the state on Thursday.

In Anantnag, 2 deaths were reported while 6 deaths were reported from Reasi.

Two persons died in Baramulla, two in Budgam and 7 in Poonch due to the flood furry.

Moderate to heavy rainfall continued across Kashmir for the third consecutive day resulting in water logging and flood at different places of Srinagar city.  The overflowing Jehlum and other streams and nallahs submerged over 300 dwelling houses at Hamdania Colny Bemina in Srinagar.

Panicked by the rapidly increasing water, the confused residents of Bemina locality ran for their lives into safer places leaving behind their all belongings. Many people took shelter on rooftops when water suddenly entered into their homes and submerged them within no time during the intervening night of Wednesday.

Besides civil administration and Jammu and Kashmir police, Army personnel from 53, 35 and 2 Rashtriya Rifles started rescue operation and evacuated stranded residents including children and shifted them to safer places. Locals hailed the efforts put up by the Jammu and Kashmir policemen and said  that before the arrival of Army with boats, the local police used their vehicles to safeguard the lives and property of people.

According to reports, Haj House and Kashmir's premier Hospital Jehlum Medical College and its associated building were also inundated.

A JVC official told IBNS that soon after the inundation, patients were shifted to safer places.

In Srinagar city, it was chaos and confusion all over as shopkeepers and family members were seen collecting their belongings and goods to move them to safer places.

Due to grave situation, a control room was setup at the Police Control Room (PCR) Batamalloo, Srinagar to monitor the flood situation.

The officers of all Engineering, Health, Housing and other concerned departments stationed in the control room and minutely monitored the situation to prevent any loss of human lives and property besides extending help to the people wherever required.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir issued an advisory where he asked people living along the banks of river Jehlum and embankments of different water bodies to move to safer areas immediately in view of the flood situation.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)