SRINAGAR: Heavy rainfall triggered a flash-flood-like situation near Darul Uloom Rahimiya on the Srinagar–Bandipora road on Thursday, as water and mud entered several residential houses, leaving two people injured and causing damage to property, officials said.
An official said two houses belonging to Nazir Ahmad Dar and Reyaz Ahmad Dar, sons of Gh Ahmad Dar and residents of Nusoo, were partially damaged in the incident.
Two persons, identified as Muskaan and a minor, sustained minor injuries. One of them was discharged after first aid, while the other is undergoing treatment at the District Hospital Bandipora, officials added.
Locals alleged that the flooding could have been prevented had the concerned departments acted in time. Residents said they had approached the Municipal Committee and the R and B department a day earlier, flagging a blocked drain and a leaking PHE pipe in the area.
“We visited the Municipal office and the R and B office yesterday and requested the officials to clear the choked drain and stop the leaking water,” a resident, Zahoor Ahmad, said.
“Instead of acting, both departments kept blaming each other. One said it was the Municipality’s fault, the other said it was R and B’s responsibility,” he added.
Residents further alleged that a drain currently under construction had been narrowed compared to the previous one, leading to overflow. “The old drain was much wider. The destruction is in front of everyone,” locals said, demanding immediate compensation for the affected families.
They also sought urgent repair of the damaged road and construction of a protective wall to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, the Tehsildar Bandipora visited the site to assess the situation. The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora said teams had been deployed and restoration work was underway. (KNS)
