Ganderbal: Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday said that all the civilians, who remained stuck after the cloudburst in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, have been rescued safely by the joint teams of Police and SDRF.
“Ganderbal police acted swiftly to restore the movement of traffic on Srinagar-Leh National Highway near Surfraw after overnight landslides had blocked the road. Due to incessant rains in the last few days, a huge mass of land slid on to the main road at Surfraw blocking the movement of vehicles and local population,” a police spokesman said in a statement issued here.
During the intervening night of 01-02 August when the concerned SHO Police Station Gund received the information about the incident, he along with a police party and other senior officers arrived at the spot and initiated the activities for clearance of highway.
“Police as a first responder began the rescue operation despite heavy downpour in the area. Other senior officers including SDPO Kangan were supervising the rescue efforts at the spot. SDRF, QRT from DPL were also pressed into service and engaged in rescue operation,” the statement said.
In the wee hours, after the hectic efforts throughout the night, police in coordination with SDRF, DPL Ganderbal and other civil departments including Revenue, Irrigation & Flood Control, Beacon and Rural Development Department were able to fully clear the debris from the road and make it through for the vehicular movement.
Moreover, while launching the rescue operation, flash floods also hit villages adjoining Surfraw. Joint rescue teams were also deployed in the night to relocate civilians safely from Bagh-e-Patti area of Surfraw. All civilians were rescued safely by the joint teams of Ganderbal Police and SDRF, the statement said.
Meanwhile, people appreciated the quick response of the police and other agencies for promptly launching rescue operation in the area.
