SRINAGAR: Two students lost their lives, while one was injured and another was rescued after they were swept away during a flash flood in the Dall Khadd of Bajoi Billawar town in Kathua district on Saturday, Hindustan Times reported.
The deceased were identified as Radha Devi (13) and Monica Devi (13). Quoting Kathua SSP SDS Jamwal Hindustan Times reported, “Four girls were returning home after attending their school at around 4 pm when they were swept away in a flash flood in a rivulet near Dall.”
“While one girl, a class 8 student, was successfully rescued, another girl, a student of class 6, sustained injuries. Unfortunately, Radha Devi and Monica Devi, both students of class 6, lost their lives in the incident,” he added.
Following the incident, a rescue operation was promptly launched. One of the rescued girls, Archana Devi, was referred to the sub-district hospital in Billawar for treatment.
Just now spoken to DC #Kathua,Sh Rakesh Minhas after receiving the report about the unfortunate incident of 4 school girls getting caught in flash floods in Billawar area. Sadly two of them lost their life while the third one is being given the required treatment in
1/2— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) July 15, 2023
Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his condolences to the bereaved families in a tweet. He said, “Just spoke to DC Kathua, Rakesh Minhas, after receiving the report about the unfortunate incident of 4 school girls getting caught in flash floods in the Billawar area. Sadly, two of them lost their lives, while the third one is receiving the necessary treatment in the hospital. My condolences to the bereaved families. My office is coordinating with the administration to provide all possible assistance. Meanwhile, parents, in general, are advised not to let their children venture out during inclement weather.”
The officer also revealed that all four girls were students of Government Kasturba Gandhi School near Nangalla. Furthermore, he informed that the incident occurred in a hilly and remote area.
Meanwhile, in the border district of Poonch, heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in the Mendhar market, leading to hardships for the people, especially shopkeepers. The water entered several shops and affected traffic movement in the area.
