| 57 marriage revellers feared dead as bus falls into gorge near Noushera | | All rivers, seasonal nullahs swollen across Jammu region; flood alert sounded | |  Early Times Report
RAJOURI/JAMMU, Sept 4: As incessant rains continue to play havoc across the region, flash flood today washed away a bus, carrying a marriage party, at Salli near Noushera, Rajouri, after which it fell into a flooded stream. Of the 60 persons, who were in the bus, three were rescued while 57 others, including seven members of a family, were feared dead.
Police sources said that a bus (JK02AK/9075) carrying the barat of Sukhvinder Singh, son of Bhagat Singh of Rajpur Kamila, left for village Lam at about 11.30 am. While crossing a bridge near village Salli, a front tyre of the bus got trapped in a pothole and it turned turtle. Before the marriage party members could get out of the bus, flash flood, triggered by heavy rains washed away the bus and it fell into the flooded stream.
A total of 60 persons were said be travelling in the ill-fated bus. Three persons, including bridegroom's relative Mohan Singh, escaped in the tragedy.
Mohan informed that he was thrown out of the window by the heavy water currents after which he swam to safety. "I could not save my wife, two sons and a daughter. I also lost my two brothers along with their families (seven persons) in the tragedy," he said with tears rolling down his eyes.
Many relatives of the victims had reached the accident site. Some were crying while some were seen praying to god for the safety of those missing.
Senior army officers, DC, Rajouri, Tajinder Singh, SSP, ASP and SDPO, Noushera rushed to the spot soon after the matter came to their notice. All of them were present at the accident site.
The rescue operation couldn't be started due to the flow of 4-4.5 knots water current. A Major of EME unit, who was leading the army rescue team, said the rescue operation "will be started after the water level recedes".
SDRF teams had also reached the spot but they too were unable to start the rescue operation due to the fast water currents.
"This tragedy took place because GREF authorities did not fill the potholes before the onset of rainy season," said Kuldeep Singh and others.
Meanwhile, the flood furry in Jammu and Kashmir has so far claimed the lives of nearly 70 persons.
Reports from other districts of the region said several houses were damaged, some completely, while many remote areas were cut off from the main cities and towns.
Around 40 houses in Kathua and parts of Basholi were partially damaged due to continuous rains, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Kathua said.
Dr Choudhary said that the water level in the Ujh river had risen and those residing close to its banks had been shifted to safer places.
Doda-Kishtwar Highway and Jammu-Srinagar Highway were also blocked due to landslide after 72 hours of rain.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Ajit Sahu said the water level in Chenab and Tawi rivers had increased and both were touching the danger mark.
"So far there are no reports of any damage to property or loss of life in this district," he added.
Reports from Reasi district said that two civilians were killed in Arnas and Chasana areas after their houses collapsed.
Hundreds of people were rescued by police and army teams
Due to landslides caused by heavy rains, the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh highways remained closed. |
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