Downpour wreaks havoc in Batote

RK Kichlu

Ramban/Batote, May 13

Heavy rain and a reported cloudburst in the Patnitop area on Thursday wreaked havoc and caused widespread destruction in the Batote tehsil of Ramban district.

Three minor students and many heads of cattle were reportedly swept away. Several houses, link roads, culverts and crops were damaged due to the downpour, particularly in Boon, Badi, Gami and Tringla.

The traffic on the Batote-Doda and Jammu-Srinagar highways was disrupted for about two hours due to the landslides at several places on Thursday evening. Slush entered the mosque in Boon.

A total of 57 sheep and goats of Nazim Din died due to lightning at Kumait village of Rajgarh tehsil. About 15 heads of cattle and several sheep and goats were swept away in the Gami nullah.

Eight sheep and goats belonging to a Bakerwal family camping near Amar chasma were reportedly swept away in the Kathni nullah. A water mill of Subhas Chand was damaged in Gami.

Reports of widespread damage to property and livestock were pouring in from remote areas and being compiled by the Revenue Department authorities.

Ramban MLA Neelam Langeh said during the cremation of the children that ex gratia of Rs 5,000 each was paid to the bereaved families and Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal has agreed to sanction Rs 4 lakh.