At least 38 people died after landslide in Udhampur

Sadal village, about 55 kilometers from Udhampur, has been completely submerged by a landslide. Road connectivity to it has been snapped from Kainthgali onwards.

Till now, seven dead bodies have been recovered and about 31 people are still missing in the area.

Rescue operations continue, with local police, residents giving a hand to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel deployed in the area. Air force choppers have also been deployed and people from adjoining areas have also come forward to help in rescue efforts.

Common masses of nearby villages are deeply gripped by fears of further landslides. A local resident of the area said, "It is a bigger tragedy than we could have ever imagined as many families are under the debris. We are waiting outside helplessly praying to God".

Local inhabitants have alleged that if this rescue operation had started earlier and in time, then they could have saved a few lives.

They also alleged that no temporary shelter, food or any other relief material has been provided to them by the district administration. They are demanding an early relief for landslide victims.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Udhampur, Khalil Ahmed Poswal said, "Around 22 to 23 houses have till now buried in the debris. However, about 13 people have been safely escaped from the landslide and seven dead bodies have also been recovered."

"We have found some human organs in the landslides. 31 peoples are missing but efforts are on to search them. We are facing problem because the houses have been dislocated at about 400 meters from their original location," he added.

"Due to some connectivity problems the heavy machinery is not able to reach the spot. But manual and other equipment are used here to trace the missing persons," said Poswal.

Sadal is situated in the hill top area of Panjar in the Panchri area of Udhampur District in Jammu and Kashmir. It is about 70 km far and is one of the remotest and far flung area submerged under the landslide that occurred due to heavy rainfall.

Tuesday 9 September 2014

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