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22 trapped in flash floods
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 8/4/2012 11:10:14 PM
JAMMU, Aug 4: At least 22 people were today trapped in flash floods in Jammu region, prompting the authorities to sound an alert in the region.
“A flash flood alert has been sounded in Jammu. Due to heavy overnight rains, various rivers in Jammu region are flooded...22 people and large number of cattle are trapped in the flash floods in Ujh and Tawi rivers,” official reports said.
“Of the 22 people, 15 are trapped in Ujh river at Khadwal area in Kathua district and two each in Mayachak, Nagri, Sujanal (Satwari) and Muthi areas,” reports added.
A rescue operation has been launched for those trapped in the flash floods, triggered by intermittent overnight rains in Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur districts.
The water level in Chenab, Tawi, Ujh and Basantar rivers are nearing the danger mark, reports said, adding that people living in low-lying areas have been alerted and warned of flash floods. They have also been asked to keep away from banks of the flooded rivers.
Official handout, however, said that the district administrations today launched massive rescue operations to save the people marooned amid flash floods in various parts of Jammu division, including Jammu, Samba and Kathua.
The rescue operations launched by each district administration were carried out under the overall supervision of Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pardeep Gupta.
Acting quickly, the district administration Jammu sought the help of the Air Force after three to four persons were stranded amid the swelled waters in Niki Tawi area.
A requisition was made with the Station Commander, Air Force, Jammu for immediate Air Services for airlifting the persons at Bhagatpur-Sunjwan. With the active services of Air Force authorities, police and district administration the precious lives of three persons were saved.
Similarly, 3 to 4 persons were rescued at Chabbe Chak Hiranagar who were marooned amid flash flood in the local nallah.
Meanwhile, rescue operations were launched to save about three persons trapped in flash flood in Ujh Nallah at Rajbagh near Nursery and 2 persons trapped in a nallah at Nagri Pandori in Kathua.
While, the water level has reached 1.46 cusec, all the trapped persons were saved by the rescue team, comprising army, civil defence members, police jawan and local people under the overall supervision of DDC and SSP.
Likewise, rescue operations were launched to rescue four to five persons trapped in the flash floods after a breach in the local nallah at Khandwal Kathua.
The rescue boats with a team of rescuers were pressed into service to rescue the stranded persons.
DDC, SSP, Kathua and SE Hydraulics remained present at the site to oversee the rescue operation.
The rescue teams also evacuated four persons at Kote Punu. The rescue boats for the operation were provided by the Army along with expert divers.
District administration and police in a prompt action rescued three persons who were trapped in the flash flood in river Basanter.
Soon after getting the information, that a truck with three persons was stranded in the middle of river Basanter, the manpower from police lines, fire brigade and the civil defence was pressed into the service to rescue the trapped persons in the truck.
It was informed that the driver alongwith two labourers had gone to the river for loading the sand and could not notice the flash flood caused due to heavy rains on higher reaches. The level of the water was continuously rising, which threatened the lives of these persons.
The Deputy Commissioner, Samba Mubarak Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba Israr Khan rushed to the spot and supervised the rescue operation. The police personnel of District Police Line, Civil Defence and Home Guards rescued the trapped persons safely.
Raj Singh (SPO) and Raj Hussain (Sgct) saved the lives of these three persons.