Kashmir rains claim 49 lives

Flash floods and house collapses in the wake of recent heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir have so far claimed 49 lives, the state assembly was informed on Saturday.

State Works Minister Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah informed the assembly during zero hour that 16 persons have died in Kashmir valley and 33 in Jammu region.

Shah said major rivers were still flowing above the danger mark submerging hundreds of villages. He said about a thousand boats were pressed into service in the marooned areas.

The 300-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained close for the fifth day on Saturday due to landslides in Ramban and Banihal areas.

Hundreds of vehicles including trucks loaded with essential commodities were stranded on the highway.

UNI