A bridge connecting Mandi tehsil with the national highway was partially washed away by heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, forcing authorities to suspend traffic, officials said on Sunday.
Repair work on the damaged section of Drungali Nala Bridge has begun and the aim is to complete the repair work before the upcoming Chhadi Yatra festival, said Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik.
Malik, accompanied by Officer-in-Charge GREF MK Sharma, assessed the situation on the ground and stressed the importance of Chhadi Yatra festival and the need to restore the bridge to facilitate movement of devotees.
The ADC has asked the public not to use the bridge until repair work is completed. “While the bridge is being repaired, everyone should use the adjacent Bandichechian Bridge,” he explained.
Several areas of Jammu region received heavy rain overnight, causing water levels in various water bodies to rise. The Meteorological Department reported rainfall measurements of Kathua 77 mm, Jammu 71 mm and Samba 59.6 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 5.30 pm. Katra also received 51 mm of rain during the same period.
Forecasts by the Meteorological Department indicate wet weather in Jammu and Kashmir till August 18, with short, heavy showers and the possibility of flash floods or landslides in prone areas. In addition, heavier rainfall is expected in the Jammu region from August 14 onwards.
(With contributions from agencies.)
