City on edge as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 13

Heavy rains continued to wreak havoc in Jammu city with flashfloods affecting several residential areas and causing extensive damage to public property.

Jammu district received 135 mm of rain during the 48-hour period. Overnight rains destroyed roads and boundary walls at Janipur and its vicinity. Trees were uprooted and several vehicles were washed away in the New Plot area.

Meanwhile, residents held a protest against the local BJP MLA, Sat Sharma, and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, who visited the affected areas. Blocking the Janipur road, the residents alleged that they had repeatedly complained to the local MLA about the problems being faced by them due to the nullah flowing through the area but nothing was done to carry out the repairs.

The worst-affected areas are Keran, Kangrail, Raipur, Kot-Bhalwal, Burn and Ghrota, Paloura, Channi Himmat and other low-lying areas where the rainwater entered inside the houses, destroying household and electronic items.

“Roads and houses in our area were the worst affected. We are worried for the coming days,” said Jaideep Sharma, who lives in the Janipur area.

Meanwhile, the district administration has constituted teams comprising revenue and administrative officials to ascertain the damage. Directions have been passed to the PHE department and the power department to restore the essential services.

‘More rainfall expected’

Moderate rains were expected till Wednesday evening after which the weather will improve. Paddy crop in several areas has also been affected by the flashfloods. — Mahendra Singh, Agrometeorologist, SKUAST, Jammu