300 stranded in flash floods rescued in J-K

JAMMU: Over 300 people, including nine BSF jawans, who were trapped in the flash-floods, were rescued today after incessant rains damaged over 50 houses, bridges and roads in Jammu region.

Besides, Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road link between Kashmir and rest of the country, remained closed for the second day for vehicular traffic due to landslides and shooting stones in Ramban and Udhampur districts.

"Over 300 people who were trapped in different parts of Jammu region, mostly from Samba, Jammu and Kathua districts, due to flash floods triggered by incessant rains were rescued" Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, told PTI.

The divisional authorities sought help of the IAF, who pressed into service helicopters and rescued trapped people by airlifting them from flooded areas in Jammu and Samba.

He said there are reports of collapse of over 50 houses in various places in Jammu region besides damage to various roads and bridges.

"The administration, police and army have been alerted for conduct of rescue operations in wake of flash floods", he said.

Army and police rescued nine jawans of Border Security Force from flash floods in Abdullian BoP area of Ranbir Singh Pura along international border in Jammu, officials said.

In Samba, BSF posts suffered damaged and one Observation Post and barrack was washed away in Kamore forward area along IB, but BSF troops safely shifted from area along with weapons and ammunition, they said.