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Heavy rains damage structures as families evacuated in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, March 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

The uninterrupted rainfall in Indian-controlled Kashmir has damaged several structures, forcing authorities to evacuate at least 237 families, officials said Sunday.

However, there were no reports of anyone being killed or injured due to house collapse.

"Since yesterday the rains have resulted in damaging 44 structures including 18 houses," a senior official said. "Majority of the houses were damaged due to landslides in Chrar-e-Sharief area of Budgam district."

Rains in the region started Saturday night and were going on intermittently until Sunday evening. The downpour has increased water level in water bodies and rivers, besides resulted in water logging of roads and localities.

A government spokesman said an alert has been issued.

"Police and civil administration have evacuated 237 families in south and north of Srinagar and moved them to safer places," a police spokesman said. "In Budgam we evacuated 221 families to safer places and among them 99 families were provided tents and 68 families have opted to reside with their relatives."

The rainfall has forced closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway due to landslides at several places.

Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks carrying essentials for Kashmir valley, are stranded at Jammu, Udhampur and other places.

Meteorological officials have predicted rainfall and snow during the next seven days.

"Two Western Disturbances in quick succession are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-controlled Kashmir) from March 28 to April 4 with occasional gaps, causing heavy rain at most places in the region, mainly on March 29, April 1 and 3, with the possibility of snowfall in the hilly areas," Sonam Lotus, director meteorological office in Srinagar said.

In wake of the rains, authorities have issued avalanche warnings and urged people in Kulgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kargil districts not to venture near avalanche prone areas.

Indian-controlled Kashmir is reeling under devastation and destruction wreaked by last year's floods. The floods inflicted an estimated loss of 16 billion U.S. dollars in the region and killed 300 people. Endi