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Child dies as landslide hits car in Ramban

Prince Jehangir/Saidullah Rangrez. Dated: 7/13/2015 11:36:29 AM

Amarnath, V’devi yatra affected

BANIHAL/DODA, Jul 12: One-year old child Sunday died when a car, in which he was travelling along with his family, was struck by a landslide at Seri in Ramban along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, while continued to remain closed and traffic remained suspended in the wake of landslides, triggered by rains, occurring at several places in Batote-Banihal sector.
Due to blockade of 300-kms long Jammu-Srinagar national highway, hundreds of vehicles carrying Amarnat pilgrims remained stranded in the area between Ramban and Batote.
In the meanwhile, the Vaishno Devi Yatra was also suspended from the new track which got blocked due to landslide after heavy rains and the chopper service remained affected in view of bad weather today.
As incessant rains continued even on Sunday, several houses besides other structures collapsed or suffered extensive damage in hilly districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Poonch.
In a tragic incident, a toddler died when a Swift car, in which he was travelling along with his family, was struck by a landslide at Seri near Marog in Ramban along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The mudslide struck car, on its way from Srinagar to Udhampur, when it reached Seri near Marog in Ramban. The child, identified as Vihan, son of Sohan Lal, resident of T-Morh, Udhampur died on the spot. However, none else travelling in the car sustained major injuries.
As per traffic police official, vehicular traffic movement remained suspended on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway due to a series of small and massive landslides occurring at the place of Peera, Nashri, Chanderkot, Seri, Margo, Mehar, Battercheshma and Gangroo in Ramban district.
52 RCC BEACON cleared debris of some of the landslides from national highway which occurred in between Batote and Ramban. But in the sector of Ramban Banihal continuous rainfall created hurdles in clearance of landslides at Margo, Mehar, Battercheshma and Gangroo.
“If weather permits then our men can operate excavators and make road able for traffic flow,” said OC 52 RCC BEACON.
SSP traffic national highway Sanjay Kotwal told reporters that near about 300 to 400 vehicles carrying Amarnath pilgrims were stranded on Jammu Srinagar national highway in the area of Batote and Ramban. Jammu Srinagar national highway was closed during the intervening night of July 11 and 12 due to a number of landslides which took place between the area from Gangroo to Peera.
SSP Ramban Randeep Kumar said that stranded Amaranth pilgrims were accommodated in the area of Ramban, Batote and Ramsu. “Administration absorbed all the stranded pilgrims in a number of schools and shelter sheds constructing along Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
In the meanwhile, the Vaishno Devi yatra too was suspended from the new track which got blocked due to landslide after heavy rains while the chopper service also remained affected in view of bad weather.
“New track got blocked due to landslide and shooting stones this morning near Panchi Colony," an official here said.
The reports of collapse of many residential houses and other structures or suffering extensive damage in the wake of incessant rains continued to pour in.
A residential house belonging to one Ghulam Nabi Parray in old Eidgah Sadeek Abad locality of Doda town collapsed today due to incessant rains however there was no loss of life in the incident.
Parray told KTNS that his family, including women and children, spent last night under the open sky. He said that the roof of the house suddenly collapsed and the members of the family had a narrow escape. He demanded immediate rehabilitation and compensation from the district administration.
Landslides in Gangroo and Kheri areas of Ramban and Udhampur districts led to the closure of the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway and the halting of the Amarnath Yatra.
Meanwhile, the pilgrims undertaking the holy yatra remained grounded for the second day today due to bad weather.
“We have come for the Amaranth Yatra but due to the rain they have stopped the bus. They are saying that it is risky to move ahead. As soon as they will get the indication of a clear path, they will move. As of now we are just praying,” said a pilgrim, Ajay Kumar Garg, while talking to reporters.
Earlier on July 9, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked due to a landslide propelled by a heavy downpour in the Ramban district of the state.
A matter of consolation for stranded Amarnath pilgrims was the met report which predicted clear weather from Monday morning. Director Meteorological department, Sonam Lotus Sunday had said weather was likely to improve from Monday morning.
He, however, said that there would be more rains on 16, 17 July in the valley as well as the Jammu region.
“Weather will improve from Monday in valley as well as Jammu region. But from Thursday to Friday Moderate to heavy rains and thunder showers may occur at most of the places across the state particularly in Kashmir valley,” Sonam Lotus had stated.
Due to incessant rains throughout the day, Amarnath Yatra remained suspended in all the sectors from Jammu onwards. No Yatri was allowed to move from the Access Control gates of Domel and Chandanwari and from any of the Yatra Camps during the day due to slippery track conditions.
On the 11th day, a total of 1660 Yatris who stayed overnight at the holy cave paid obeisance. Till date 1,49,101 Yatris had darshan of the Ice Lingam.