Hit by cloudburst in Aug Verinag village waits for official apathy to end

By Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag: A massive cloudburst wreaked havoc in Koot Verinag village last month this year, damaging dozens of houses besides road, power and other infrastructure.

According to villagers, about 45 kms from main town Anantnag and 6 kms from tourist resort Verinag on August 16 this year, a massive cloudburst hit the forest area leaving a trail of damage and destruction behind.

At least 250 households live in the village. The villagers say that they are going to observe the day as a black day .

Villagers do praise AEE irrigation and flood control, Parvaiz Ahmad and SDM Dooru Rashid Ahmad who did start some work in village to check dams but the work has been stalled.

A villager Gh Mohd Wani said that they have put up frequent requests to Anantnag administration to check damages to bunds but none came to their resuce.

They claim that as soon as news of cloudburst spread in Anantnag District the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag along with other department officials include SDRF, police and volunteers from different societies rushed to the site to assess the situation.

“Volunteers from several associations were also seen helping the locals to clear the debris on roads and houses and a school in village,” Wani added.

“I know about the village, I will talk to concern department officials and I hope very soon their problems will solve,” said SDM Dooru Rashid Ahmad to INS.