Flash floods wreak havoc on AJK village; 31 killed

NEELAM VALLEY (92 News) – At least 31 people were killed including 22 swept away in the gushing water, 18 of them from a Tableeghi Jamaat, after a cloudburst triggered flash floods Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). According to the State Disaster Management Authority (NHMA) AJK, flash flood swept away two mosques and houses besides damaging shops and other property in the Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir late Sunday evening. The rescue operation is continued, however, Pakistan Army rescued 52 people with the help of helicopter. The flood victims are being provided the food, medical treatment and shelter. The authority further said flooded water channel in Laiswa area of Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir swept away 22 people and there are reports that some Tableeghi members are also missing. According to AJK government, up to 150 residential properties got affected due to sudden wave of floods. SDMA Secretary Irshaad Qureshi told Channel 92 that the cloud burst happened in Laiswa at midnight and lightening fell onto two houses and a mosque. He said the rescuer activities are in progress to retrieve and identify the bodies, but it's difficult to carry out emergency work as the road leading to the affected area had wiped out. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary AJK also left for the affected site. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)'s Brigadier Mukhtar will provide full support to the rescue work. In another incident, five riders were killed after a jeep they were riding plunged into River Neelam. A minor child survived the accident. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU4R4088InY