Over 100 sheep, goats killed in cloudburst in J&K

Over 110 sheep and goats perished and public infrastructure suffered heavy damage in a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Tuesday, officials said.

Sources in district administration said hailstorm and heavy rainfall preceded the cloudburst in Thanamandi area of Rajouri.

"Over 100 sheep and goats were killed and heavy damage was caused to public infrastructure in Thanamandi area of Rajouri district today because of a cloudburst.

"Road connectivity was also disrupted in the area," a district administration source said.

Same sources said 10 families of 'Bakarwals' (goatherds) on move to higher reaches were trapped due to cloudburst.

"A massive relief and rescue operation was started by the administration which was assisted by the locals. Staff of Sheep Development department was also part of the rescue operation to take care of injured livestock," the source said.

According to the source, dozens of vehicles were stranded on the road due to accumulation of debris, but the way has now been partially restored for traffic.

--IANS

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