Ganderbal, Aug 17: Heavy rainfall in the Hassanabad Kangan area of District Ganderbal has caused severe disruption to transportation and public movement, leading to widespread waterlogging and significant deterioration of roads.
The downpour, which began in the early hours of Saturday, has not only inconvenienced residents but also hampered the functioning of local institutions.
For the second time in a week, heavy rains inundated the Hassanabad area, causing extensive waterlogging and damaging the main link road. Water entered the premises of several residential houses, creating a flood-like situation that prompted concerns among the locals.
Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Hassanabad, stated, “This is the second time in a week that heavy rains have caused severe waterlogging in our area. The link road is damaged, and water has entered residential premises. We have repeatedly urged the authorities to remove encroachments and address drainage issues, but no action has been taken. There is no flood channel in our area, which is why floodwaters easily accumulate here.”
The situation worsened when water entered the Government Girls’ School in the area, disrupting classwork and forcing the school to halt its operations temporarily.
SDM Kangan, Bilal Mukhtar, confirmed the severity of the situation, explaining that the early morning rains had caused significant waterlogging, particularly in low-lying areas. “The waterlogging was exacerbated by runoff from nearby forest areas, which accumulated in Hassanabad, creating significant disruption,” Mukhtar said. He assured residents that the situation is being closely monitored and that officials from relevant departments have already visited the affected areas to assess the damage.
“We are working in coordination with the Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, and other department officials to ensure that every possible help is provided to those affected. Our priority is to restore normalcy as quickly as possible and to mitigate any further impact from the weather,” Mukhtar added.
In a related incident, a massive landslide at Parkachick Roung has blocked National Highway Kargil Zanskar further complicating the transportation woes in the region.
Authorities from Jhelum United are reportedly working to clear the debris and restore traffic within an hour. Officials, including the DC, CEC Kargil, and NHIDCL, have been alerted and are closely monitoring the situation.
