Tasaduq Sofi
Ganderbal 31 July (KNB): A heavy spell of rainfall on Friday caused a flood-like situation in Gutlibagh and Nunner areas of Ganderbal district, resulting in overflow in a local irrigation canal which subsequently resulted in a flood like situation in Nunner area downstream along the Srinagar-Kargil highway.
Talking to news agency Kashmir News Bureau, local residents said that the flash flood water entered into many residential houses and inundated roads as well as agricultural fields in the area.
However, a day after flash floods hit some areas of Nunner, Local people have appealed to the district administration and LG Manoj Sinha for fast track rehabilitation of the affected families.
One of the senior residents of an affected area said, “We are very much thankful to Jammu and Kashmir Police, who reached the spot as soon as the incident occurred and helped in initial rescue.
“We are also thankful to R&B Department, who swung into action early morning day after flash floods hit the area and ensured road connectivity,” he said, adding that the department also laid down some underground pipes to divert the water flow that had flooded the lawns, roads as well as living rooms and bedrooms of some families.
While talking to some of the worst affected families, they said, “We haven’t seen anyone from administration since last evening, knocking on our doors with the purpose of accessing the amount of damage our houses, Cow sheds and other infrastructures that have suffered damage due to certain and heavy flash floods.”
“We had given written applications many times to Irrigation department authorities and requested them to strengthen the bund of the Padshai canal,” they said, adding that if only they had paid seer attention to their requests, this kind of situation would not have occurred.
These families in utmost distress further appealed to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the district administration Ganderbal to take note of our legal and rightful demands and get the bund strengthened, wherever needed, mainly at those places where it passes through populated areas.
Moreover, another Local, whose house has been worst affected due to the flash floods, said, “We appeal to the administration to kindly come forward and do justice with us. We have lost almost every household that is required in day to day life. If we won’t receive help now, then when?”
Pertinent to mention that flash floods had affected Srinagar-Ladakh highway and forced the administration to divert the traffic on NH-44 via Sumbal-Wayil bye-pass. Although with the efforts of the administration, the road has been restored now, the question remains, How much more time will it take to get the affected families rehabilitated? (KNB)