Landslides, flash floods kill 6 in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least six people including two children were killed in land slides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Indian-controlled Kashmir, a local newspaper "Daily Excelsior" reported Thursday.

Two girls were washed away in flash flood at village Padanoo of Udhampur district. The newspaper report said nine-year-old Anchal and six-year-old Prachi were grazing cattle along the bank of village stream when a fast water current following heavy rain in upper reaches washed them away.

In Reasi, 28-year-old Shamas-ud- Din and 22-year-old Abdul Qayoom were killed after landslides drifted in the area buried them. The bodies have been retrieved from the debris by the locals.

In a similar incident, a man was killed, while his wife and son suffered injuries after coming under a landslide in Dharmari area of Arnas village. While his body was retrieved from the debris, the woman and her son were immediately hospitalized.

A 10-year old boy was killed and two others were injured after their mud house collapsed due to heavy rains in Rajouri district.

The newspaper said traffic remained disrupted on several roads until late Wednesday in Jammu division following flash floods and land slides.

Kashmir has a rugged terrain. Landslides, avalanches and flash floods are often triggered from its mountains during frequent rains and heavy snowfall the region receives. Enditem