3 drown, property damaged in flash floods in J and K

Srinagar, Aug 4 (UNI) Three people drowned and property was damaged in flash floods in Jammu and Kargil during the past 24 hours, official sources said.

However, there was no immediate threat of floods in the Kashmir valley though the water level in the river Jehlum and its tributaries is going up because of heavy rains since last evening.

Authorities have sought services from the Army to supplement the efforts of the district administration in restoration and relief work in Leh and Kargil.

A report from Kargil said river Suroo was flowing above danger mark inundating a number of village, including Barsoo, Sangra and Bomal in Sankoo tehsil.

It said two mosques were also damaged in village Bomal where water has also entered the godown of Food and Supplies department damaging rice, atta and sugar.

The flood water also entered residential houses in some low laying area.

A number of irrigation khuls were damaged in village Barsoo, Bomal and Sangra where one Tata sumo was also swept away in the flash floods. However, there was no report of any loss of life.

Official sources said three persons were swept away in a flash flood when they were trying to cross a nullah at Basoli in Kathua district of Jammu region early this morning.

Jammu and Kashmir Transport minister Mangat Ram Sharma said that all necessary steps have been taken to combat the hazards and damages caused by floods in various areas of Ladakh region.

He said during the intervening night of July 31 and August first 2006, torrential rains and cloud burst occured in Leh, Saboo, Phyang, Igoo and Shara of Leh district and different pockets of Block Sankoo in Kargil district which caused heavy floods causing damage and devastation to standing crops, plantations, roads, bridges, irrigation kuhls and some residential houses.

The exact loss caused due to the flood is being assessed and will be available shortly.

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