Batote, June 8: At least four persons were feared dead, while several structures and vehicles were damaged after landslides triggered by a cloudburst washed away a portion of roadside market on Batote -Kishtwar highway at Bhagar, about 15 kilometers from here, on Wednesday
evening.
“About one kilometer portion of the road was hit by landslides which washed away 2 Dhabas and many kiosks, while I can see four vehicles half buried in the mud”, Deputy Commissioner Doda, Farooq Khan told Greater Kashmir on phone.
He said Army, Quick Reaction Team of Police and locals have launched an operation to rescue the possible survivals but darkness and slippery slopes were creating problems
for the search team. He said the rescue operation can be intensified
only in the morning though the administration has arranged gensets to make light available for the rescuers.
“A large portion of the road has been washed away and it will take about one week to restore the road link” Khan said.
Sources said that four persons,two of them identified Sajjad Husssain son of Muhammad Shafi and Mohan Lal son of Devi, both dhaba owners alongwith their hotels were washed away. Police said all the four persons are feared dead as their chances of survival were bleak.
“The death toll can increase as some more persons are believed to be missing in the incident” sources said.
It was learnt that heavy rains continued to lash the area and around 20-Kilometer stretch of road from Batote to Assar has been blocked at many places due to land slides.
Sources said about three tippers were also buried under land slides in Baglihar area after they came under heavy landslides. However no loss of life was reported from there.
A youth received shock after a lightening struck him in Bhaderwah area of Doda district. However, his condition was stated to be stable.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST