Kupwara/Bandipora, July 30: The flood situation continued to be grim in frontier district of  Kupwara on Friday with swollen streams inundating more than 80 villages, while a man drowned in Madhumati nallah in north Kashmir’s Bandipore district.
More than 80 villages in Kupwara, Mawar, Qaziabad, Handwara, Vilgam and Lolab were inundated due to flash floods triggered by incessant rains. Officials said that more than 400 families were shifted from Kunanposhpora, Bona Hari, Hatmulla, Nagri, Nutnoosa, Chak Lawoosa, Yehama and other areas after the water entered several residential houses.
Nearly 20 bridges, which include 7 major bridges, have been washed away and many areas including landlocked Karnah, Keran and Machil have become inaccessible,officials added.
Situation was worse in Nowgam, Mawar, Lash, Choontipora, Shanu, Qalaabad, Pohru, and Monabal as nallah Mawar continued to flood the adjacent residential areas.
The Handwara was also cut off from Kupwara, Sopur and Varmul due to submerging of bridges.
Floodwaters have also destroyed standing paddy crop over thousands of Kanals of land in the affected areas, besides devouring hundreds of cattle in higher pastures in the district.
Meanwhile helicopters of Indian Air Force and divisional administration today rescued and evacuated three persons trapped in floodwaters of Nallah kehmil at Hanjipora, Gigolos, and Shaloora, today.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Itrat Hussain said that about 40 villages have been inundated and 350 families have been shifted to safer places.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud- Din accompanied by Ministers of State Nasir Aslam Wani, and Javed Ahmad Dar today visited the flood hit areas of Kupwara.
BANDIPORE
Abdul Rashid Ganie, of Kaloosa drowned in Mahdumti Nallah, this morning.
The floods caused by the breaches of the bank have damaged standing paddy crops spreading over two thousand kanals in the main Bandipore town.
The affected villages include Kulhama, Lankrishipora, Larwalpora, Aloosa Ghat, Kema Ghat, Mangnipora, Nadihal, Garoora, Saderkoot, Banyari, Kanbathi and Kehnusa.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST