Eight people have died and over 1,500 houses suffered extensive damage due to floods caused by incessant rains in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said Saturday.  Of those killed, five died in a house collapse while three were washed away by swollen rivers since Friday, an administrative official told IANS.

 

 The official said timely rescue by the administration and the army saved the lives of 80 people marooned in floods in different parts of the region.  "Around 1,500 houses have been damaged because of incessant rains that started Wednesday," the official said.

 

 Both rail and road traffic in Jammu region have been affected by rains and ensuing landslides.  Landslides occurred at Batote, Bannihal and Udhampur on the Jammu-Srinagar highway,  bringing traffic to a halt. Efforts are on to open the highway and traffic department officials said the road would open Saturday.

 

 Most of the destruction and loss of life have happened because of the swollen Tawi and Chenab rivers.  Swollen waters of the Chenab washed away a temple and a school building in Bakore (Jourian) village in Jammu district.

 

 The administration has already sounded an alert in the region. Relief and rescue operations are being monitored from control rooms.  The weather office has issued an adverse weather advisory, forecasting moderate rains in Jammu region till Monday, with isolated heavy downpour at a few places.

 

 –Indo-Asian News Service