Bandipora, May 21 (KNB): Heavy rainfall on Thursday triggered panic near Darul Uloom Rahimiya along the Srinagar–Bandipora road after water and mud entered several residential houses, causing damage to property and disrupting normal life in the area.
Officials said that two residential houses belonging to Nazir Ahmad Dar and Reyaz Ahmad Dar, sons of Gh Ahmad Dar and residents of Nusoo Bandipora, were partially damaged in the incident.
Two persons, including a minor girl identified as Muskaan, sustained minor injuries in the incident. One of the injured persons was discharged after treatment, while another is undergoing treatment at District Hospital Bandipora.
Talking to Kashmir News Bureau (KNB), a local resident Aqib Ahmad said that the incident took place around 3 AM when residents suddenly found mud and water entering their homes.
“At around 3 AM suddenly we found everything broken and mud entering our home. We requested the concerned authorities many times earlier, but there was no response and now this is the result,” he said.
Residents alleged that the incident could have been avoided had the concerned departments acted on time. According to locals, they had approached the Municipal Committee and R&B department a day before the incident regarding a blocked drain and leaking PHE pipe in the area.
“We visited the Municipal office and the R&B office yesterday and even requested the officers with folded hands to clear the choked drain and stop the leaking water,” said another local resident Zahoor Ahmad.
“But instead of taking action, both departments kept blaming each other. One department said it was the responsibility of the Municipality, while the other said it falls under the R&B department,” he added.
Locals further alleged that the drain presently under construction has been narrowed compared to the old drain, which according to them resulted in overflow during heavy rainfall.
“The old drain was much wider, but the new one has been shrunk. Today everyone can see the destruction caused because of it,” residents said.
The affected families and local residents have demanded immediate compensation, repair of the damaged road and construction of a strong protection wall to prevent such incidents in future.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Bandipora visited the area to assess the situation. Deputy Commissioner Bandipora said as per local news agency that teams have been deputed to the spot and restoration work has been taken up .(KNB) Inputs from Local news agency
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