Heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood-like situation near Darul Uloom Rahimiya on the Srinagar-Bandipora road on Thursday, as water and mud gushed into several residential houses, leaving two persons injured and property damaged, officials said.
An official said that two houses belonging to Nazir Ahmad Dar and Reyaz Ahmad Dar, both sons of GhulamAhmad Dar and residents of Nusoo, were partially damaged in the incident.
Two persons, identified as Muskaan and a minor, suffered minor injuries. One of the injured was discharged after first aid, while the other was undergoing treatment at the District Hospital Bandipora, officials added.
Locals alleged that the flooding could have been averted had the concerned departments acted on time. Residents claimed they had approached the Municipal Committee and the R&B department a day prior to the incident, flagging a blocked drain and a 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,” 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&B’s responsibility,” he added.
Residents further alleged that a drain currently under construction was deliberately narrowed compared to the old one, leading to the overflow. “The old drain was much wider. Today the destruction is in front of everyone,” locals said, demanding immediate compensation for the affected families.
They also demanded urgent repair of the damaged road and construction of a strong protection wall to prevent recurrence.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Bandipora visited the spot to assess the situation. Deputy Commissioner Bandipora said teams have been deputed and restoration work was underway.
