Srinagar, Aug 15:Body of one more person who died in flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Tanghdar area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, was recovered on Wednesday.
Reports said that during the rescue operation launched by police, SDRF, army and district administration since Tuesday, one more body was found lying alongside the rice grinder machine on Wednesday. The person has apparently died of heart attack after seeing the floods that wreaked havoc in the region.
As reported by GNS earlier, multiple cloudbursts struck the Shamsbari mountain in the region, triggering flash floods and causing extensive damage to public and government property.
Station House Officer (SHO) Tanghdar Nasir Ahmad Bhat identified the deceased as Mangta Awan son of Mohammad Abdullah Awan of Gumul village.
This is the second death due to flash floods. On Tuesday late evening, a body was found in Tanghdar while clearing the debris on roads and nearby localities. The deceased was identified as Sheer Singh son of Sardar Singh of R S Pora Jammu. He was the driver of an oil tanker meant for army supply.
“The rescue teams have also pressed bulldozer machines into service to clear the debris on the roads. The operation is underway,” SHO said.
The intensity of the natural calamity was as such that it damaged the 7-kilometer road stretch from Nachiyain to Tanghdar which is presently engulfed in the debris, he said, adding that the operation is on to restore traffic on the road.
“The flash floods washed away dozens of shops, caused damage to public and government prosperities,” he said. “Army supply camp, army goodwill school and scores of residential houses suffered complete or partial damage.”
Besides, the flash floods damaged the vast area of paddy fields in most of the villages of Tanghdar. The flood water entered the residential houses and army camp. Two oil tanker vehicles meant for army supply and scores of oil barrels also suffered damage, the officer said.
Hundreds of villagers have been evacuated to safer areas by the rescue team comprising army, police and district administration.
The floods in another separate incident on Monday late night also caused damage to a local power project at Pangla Hari Dawal and washed away a bahak (makeshift house). The number of people putting up there has not been confirmed by officials yet.
The affected villages include Nachayian, Hajinad, Bagh Baila, Gumul and Tanghdar.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Khalid Jehangir and SSP Kupwara Shriram Ambarkar Dinkar visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
Both the officers visited the affected places and interacted with people. They assured people of all possible help.
Accordingly, District Commissioner Kupwara had already issued an alert yesterday and had directed SDM Karnah, police, SDRF and volunteers to provide necessary help to the affected people.
The army had also been asked to provide support to the civil administration.
