Heavy downpour wreaks havoc in Rajouri

RAJOURI - Incessant rainfall has damaged scores of houses in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri District, thereby crippling normal life and creating havoc in the picturesque region.

The concerned authorities on Friday clarified that at least 17 persons had died, while hundreds of others have been rendered homeless in the onslaught of rains.

Several hutments and houses across the villages here have been reduced to rubble, causing panic among the locals.

The locals have been frantically lining up at the district headquarters in search of makeshift tents and much needed relief supplies.

The rains have caused a massive destruction of life, property and livestock, confirmed officials.

“17 persons have been killed due to the rains. At least 442 houses have been damaged beyond repair, while 1,785 houses have been partially ravaged by the rains. Also, about 254 livestock have been washed away by the rainfall,” said Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja, Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri.

Residential areas have been flooded and several key roads washed away, leaving hundreds of people wading through knee-deep water with their belongings, in search of dry land.

The floodwaters have inundated residential areas, several road links and washed away expansive stretches of agricultural lands, causing massive losses.

Meanwhile, the locals here rued the State administration has not taken any steps to alleviate their plight.

“The government has not taken any steps to help us. Diseases are on a rise here after the rains, and the people are battling to survive. There are no food supplies available. As it is the people were poor, and now they have lost everything due to the rains,” said Asim Abbas, an affected local. (ANI)