Three minors washed away in flash floods

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 19

Three minor girls, including two sisters, lost their lives after being washed away in Jhajjar nullah in the Jhajjar Kotli area, about 33 km from Jammu city, following heavy rain in upper reaches here on Monday.

Three girls, who were accompanying them, were rescued by locals with the help of the police. The bodies of two girls were recovered from swirling waters on Monday while the body of the third girl was recovered on Tuesday morning.

The victims were identified as Nanita Bhagat (4) and Chandan Jyoti, (6), both daughters of Brij Mohan of Otta (Dansal); and Niharika Devi (8), daughter of Ravi Kumar of Katal Batal (Nagrota). The body of Jyoti was recovered on Tuesday morning.

The girls who were rescued were identified as Vandana Devi (13) daughter of Baldev Raj, resident of Sheranjali (Dansal); Radhika Devi (4), daughter of Ravi Kumar of Sheranjali; and Bharti Bhagat (9) daughter of Brij Mohan of Otta (Dansal).

According to the police, six girls had gone to the nullah to take bath and fetch drinking water from a natural spring when the incident took place last evening.

“The girls were taking bath when the water level in the nullah suddenly increased due to heavy rain in upper reaches. The flash flood washed away all the children,” the police said.

On getting the information, locals and police personnel rushed to the spot and started a rescued operation. The bodies of the deceased girls were handed over to their relatives while those who were rescued were hospitalised.