Flash floods damage houses, crops in Rajouri

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, June 18

Heavy loss to agricultural land, livestock, houses, paddy and maize crops has been reported from Thanamandi subdivision in Rajouri district due to a cloud burst and the consequent flash floods during the past three days.

According to an official statement, 70 hectares under maize and 20 hectares under paddy were completely damaged while six houses were damaged and more than 12 were partially damaged in the flash floods.

The worst affected villages include Planagar, Lah, Behrote, Sorah and Khablan. In Khablan village, the entire agricultural land and crops have been damaged.

A large number of irrigation canals, flood protection works, bundhs and water supply lines have also been washed away in these areas. Many animals were also washed away.

The district administration has given an immediate relief of Rs1 lakh to the owners of six houses which were completely damaged.

“The Department of Disaster Management is taking up relief and restoration operations on priority and compensation cases of previous losses have already been submitted to the department in addition to the immediate relief provided by the administration,” said Dr Shahid Iqbal, District Development Commissioner.

He directed officers to provide 100 per cent subsidy on seeds to the affected farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Department has pressed machinery to clear the debris.