Internet snapped; mobile phone service hit across J&K
Jammu/Banihal, Aug 26: Chaos and confusion prevailed across J&K as mobile phones and broadband network of all service providers was snapped on Tuesday.
A senior Police officer of the Disaster Management Authority Jammu said that the authorities are monitoring the situation arisen following torrential rains across the region.
He said that people were facing hardships and difficulties to connect with the helpline numbers provided by the authorities for emergencies as users were unable to access internet and or make calls.
Kashmir too witnessed erratic cellular and internet services.
Meanwhile, the incessant rains, landslides, and shooting stones forced the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and Batote-Kishtwar National Highway besides several other roads in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts blocked.
Mobile phones and broadband network of service providers across J&K was snapped since Tuesday afternoon.
The water level in the Chenab River, including dozens of tributaries, increased manifold.
In Maitra and Khowbagh, the low-lying area of Ramban town, several families were evacuated to safer places by the district administration as the water level in the Chenab River started entering residential areas.
The respective district administration of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban were using public address system-fitted vehicles to make announcements asking people to stay indoors and not venture near rivers nallahs, streams, and other water bodies
Officials said that following torrential rains in the Bhalessa and Gundoh area of Dodo district, a flood-Iike situation was observed in local streams.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramban, Muhammad Alyas Khan said following heavy rains, the water level in the Chenab River has increased and the water flow in the local streams is also increasing.
The DC appealed to the people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors till the weather improves. In the Charwa area of Bhalesa, a huge flash flood was reported in a local stream.
Officials in Doda said, so far, no casualties linked to flash flood had been reported.
Officials said that the Doda-Bhaderwah road was closed due to landslides at Zero Point Bhalla, a place between Doda and Bhaderwah.
They said that a flood-like situation was observed in Neeru Nullah in Bhaderwah.
Meanwhile, a portion of Jammu-bound down tube between Ball Nallah and Samroli near Udhampur got washed away.
They said Srinagar bound up tube was also impacted got at several locations between Jakhani, Udampur to Chenani.
Meanwhile, the movement of vehicles on two busy roads in Reasi district got suspended after heavy landslides.
The roads include Arnas-Mahore road connecting Mahore sub-division with Arnas sub-division and other parts of the district and the road from Katra to Domail that connects Katra town with Jammu.
As per the officials, landslides occurred on both these roads and the movement of vehicles has been stopped.
They said that slide clearance work has been launched on both the places and efforts are going on to restore these vital roads.
Meanwhile, in Udhampur district, the Udhampur-Ramnagar link road also got blocked due to landslides and shooting stones at several places.
