Ravaged Jammu stares at critical weather spell till Sep 2

Jammu, Aug 31: A fresh spell of heavy rains on Sunday further added to the devastating spectre all around flood-ravaged Jammu, already struggling hard to wriggle out of deluge and related miseries, amid loss of around 170 lives in vagaries of weather across the division.

However, even in the next couple of days, there is no reprieve in sight for the region and its people, and the division is staring at further critical weather spells till September 2.

As per a forecast by the Meteorological Department, Jammu is going to confront very critical conditions in the next 2-3 days amid the possibilities of extremely heavy rainfall triggering flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides in different parts of the division.

The majority of the region is still confronting extreme water and power supply crises as the scale of devastation of infrastructure is too gigantic to be restored in the next couple of days. Unrelenting rains were further hampering the relief and restoration works, rather, were adding to further losses, both in terms of lives and property.

The level of water, which had receded in almost all major water bodies, has further started rising, creating a fresh spate of apprehensions.

Tawi registered a surge during the day, while the Police could be seen warning people around Jio Pota Ghat due to the rising water level in the Chenab River in Akhnoor.

In Reasi, several gates of the Salal dams were opened and a warning was issued due to surging water level in Chenab.

Within Jammu city and its outskirts, during the day, the Atal Chowk at Panjtirthi-Sidhra bridge stretch, Manda road was blocked by landslides and shooting stones hurtling down at multiple points. People were asked to opt for alternative routes though restoration works were on.

Across the city, the civic authorities, despite inclement weather conditions, remain engaged in muck clearance operations yet it was taking too long. Even Jogi Gate Cremation Ground, which suffered extensive damage in flash floods on August 26, could not be fully cleared of deluge and debris.

Among hilly stretches of the division, Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Bani area in Kathua district continued to face severe connectivity issues, while many areas continued to remain totally disconnected.

The Batote-Kishtwar National Highway stretch too had washed away after the cloudburst incident.

In Reasi district, an alternate route from Katra to Reasi via Banganga was temporarily closed due to shooting stones while the restoration work was ongoing near Balani bridge. In Udhampur district, the entire stretch at Thard on NH 44 caved in, blocking both tubes.

In Doda district, reports suggested that 60 residential houses were damaged in torrential rains in the Gandoh-Bhalessa stretch. The administration was assessing the losses. Meanwhile, a team from Ghordi Police Post reached out to landslide affected families of Surni and Jandor in Udhampur. Police evacuated three families to safer places and also assisted affected families in shifting essentials.

In Doda, Police in a night-long rescue operation saved the lives of eight men trapped in the mighty Chenab River during the intervening night of August 30 and 31 at the Karmail area of Assar Doda.

Police said that a distress call was received at Police Station Assar in this connection. The individuals were using a makeshift wooden raft but got trapped amidst the floating timber. Amid dense fog, which reduced visibility, District Police Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) along with SDRF helped the stranded persons to navigate towards the woods and eventually reach the riverbank safely. The rescue operation lasted about three hours. The 48 RR Army unit also extended vital assistance.

“However, an inquiry is also underway to ascertain the circumstances under which the persons got trapped in the Chenab River. If found, they entered the river for the purpose of illegally collecting timber in violation of the prohibitory order of the District Magistrate or otherwise, appropriate legal action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, will be taken against them,” officials stated.

VAISHNO DEVI YATRA REMAINS SUSPENDED

Pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended on Sunday for the sixth day amid persisting inclement weather conditions. Meanwhile, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has announced the cancellation of all bookings with a 100 percent refund till the yatra is suspended. “Earlier self-cancellations will get a pending refund within 15 days,” the Board has stated.

In a related development, to ensure the safety of pilgrims, Katra Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has ordered the vacation of all commercial establishments located on hills, including hotels and Dharamshalas, from Balini bridge to Darshani Deodi and from Balini bridge to Asia Chowk in Katra in the vulnerable stretches with immediate effect, till they obtain safety certificates from the Executive Engineer, PWD, Katra. Violation of the order will invite punitive action under Section 223 of BNS.

WATER, POWER SUPPLY AFFECTED

Power and water supply remained affected in many parts of the region, including Jammu city, even on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Power Development Department (PDD) has maintained that it is working round-the-clock in full coordination across its wings to restore electricity in the Jammu region, which has been affected due to a buckled tower of the 220 KV Barn–Kishenpur transmission line.

This critical line feeds major parts of Jammu, Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch districts, including areas such as Talab Tillo, Canal Road, and Rehari.

“Rectification of the damaged tower has been taken up on top priority, as any further collapse could have triggered a prolonged blackout across four districts. The unprecedented rains from August 26 to 28 wreaked havoc on the electricity system, and despite these challenges, the engineers and ground staff of the department have been working tirelessly, day and night, to restore supply in most areas of Jammu. However, the buckling of this vital transmission tower has complicated the situation,” officials of the Electric Sub Division I of JPDCL stated. The Jammu Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Limited (JKPTCL), entrusted with restoring the line, has roped in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite the work, they have pointed out.

“Numerous lines were snapped due to swelling nullahs and rivers, while high-tension and low-tension networks were severely hit by uprooted trees. Nevertheless, through sustained efforts, nearly 50 percent of the power network has already been restored, ensuring smooth supply in several areas. The situation continues to be closely monitored, and every effort is being made to achieve 100 percent restoration at the earliest,” they add. Despite limited availability, JPDCL, they said, ensured rotational supply to sustain essential services such as water supply and hospitals. “With rectification of the buckled tower progressing on a war footing, complete restoration of power in the Jammu region is expected by this evening, though intermittent delays have been caused by inclement weather and continuous rains,” they said. Meanwhile, to address woes related to water, Jammu Municipal Corporation Commissioner has announced that all water tankers (including all private tankers requisitioned today) will be booked in Jammu city through JMC helpline -1800 180 7207 and free service will be available from 7 am to 7 pm.