Rains submerge roads, trigger landslides in south Kashmir

Pulwama / Kulgam, Apr 29:   The torrential rains of the past few days have triggered landslides and submerged various roads in south Kashmir.

An official from Pulwama said that heavy rains spurred landslides in the Khaigam, Lasidaban, and Frasipora villages of the district.  He said that three families from Khaigam and Frasipora villages were also shifted to a nearby school given the land sliding.

According to the official, the Sasara rivulet in Koil village inundated the Pulwama-Awantipora road and water entered the nearby farms.

The locals said that the water caused significant damage to the mustard crop.

However, the administration sprang into action and diverted the rivulet.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom visited several villages to monitor the flood situation in the area amidst heavy rains.

A control room was also set up at the district headquarters to keep a vigil on the situation.

The residents from Kushipora village in Qazigund areas of Kulgam district told Greater Kashmir that a portion of the road was washed away by the floodwaters.

"The nallah Vithyatur overflowed and washed a portion of the road passing through the village,” said Ghulam Nabi Bhat, the village Sarpanch.

Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan visited several flood-prone villages to assess the situation.

He said that the administration had kept a vigil on the situation.

Khan said that the District Emergency Operation Centre was working round the clock.

He said that some nomadic families from the upper reaches had also been moved to safer places.

The District Magistrate Kulgam issued an advisory asking people to refrain from venturing in and around the water bodies including rivers, streams, and nullahs.

According to the advisory, people should limit their activities till the improvement of weather and the receding of water levels of water bodies.

The advisory came after the water level at Khudwani station on Veshow nallah crossed the warning mark.

Meanwhile, Shopian witnessed a very brief spell of snowfall following the incessant rains.