Suhail Rather
Bandipora, May 21 (KNS): Heavy rainfall triggered panic near Darul Uloom Rahimiya on the Srinagar–Bandipora road after water and mud entered several nearby houses, damaging property and disrupting normal life in the area on Thursday.
Two residential 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 sustained minor injuries, including Muskaan and another minor. One of the injured was discharged after treatment, while the other is still undergoing treatment at District Hospital Bandipora.
Residents alleged that the incident could have been avoided if timely action had been taken by the concerned departments. Locals said they had approached both the Municipal Committee and the R&B department a day earlier regarding the blocked drain and leaking PHE pipe in the area.
“We visited the Municipal office and the R&B office yesterday and even requested the officers with folded hands to clear the choked drain and stop the leaking water,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a resident.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“But instead of acting, both departments kept blaming each other. One said it was the fault of the Municipality, while the other said it was the responsibility of the R&B department,” he added.
Residents further alleged that the drain currently under construction was deliberately shrunk in size compared to the old drain, which they said led to the overflow and destruction witnessed today.
“The old drain was much wider, but the new one has been narrowed. Today the destruction is in front of everyone,” locals said while demanding immediate compensation for the affected families.
Residents have also demanded immediate repair of the damaged road and construction of a strong protection wall to prevent such incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Bandipora visited the spot to assess the situation, while Deputy Commissioner Bandipora said that teams have been deputed and restoration work is underway. (KNS)