Nine men trapped in swollen Tawi river rescued in Jammu
Jammu (PTI): Nine men were rescued Wednesday in a joint operation by police and SDRF teams after they were trapped in the Tawi river following a sudden rise in the water level due to rains that lashed many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Heavy rains also disrupted traffic along Jammu-Srinagar national highway for over three hours this morning, while a couple of vehicles were also washed away due to overflowing of a stream in Rajouri district, the officials said.
Madan Lal (52), a labourer, had gone for sand extraction in the Tawi around 8.45 am but got trapped due to sudden rise in the water level near Jewel chowk bridge in the city.
He was rescued by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel who dropped a ladder from the bridge and managed to pull him out after remaining trapped for around two hours, the officials said.
Eight more people, including some who had gone for “Pind Daan’, were rescued in a joint operation by police, traffic cops, SDRF and local volunteers, the officials said.
Several trapped horses were also rescued during the operation, the officials said.
A traffic department spokesman said mudslides triggered by heavy rains blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Mehad and T2 tunnel in Ramban area around 6.30 am, forcing suspension of traffic from both sides.
However, the traffic resumed after the concerned road clearance agencies removed the debris within three hours, he said.
The officials said an overflowing stream caused a flood-like situation in Kheora, Lower Jawahar Nagar and Thudi in Rajouri town, while a couple of vehicles parked on the banks of the stream also got washed away.
According to the meteorological department, Katra town of Reasi district recorded the highest 108.5 mm of rainfall, followed by Rajouri (80 mm), Udhampur district (71.4 mm), Poonch (48 mm) and Ramban (47.5 mm) during the past 24 hours.
The weather office has predicted intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places with possibility of heavy rain at a few places of Jammu division till June 27.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Punjab CM Mann lays foundation stone of Rs 14.63 crore sports stadium in Sangrur
Sangrur (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 14.63 crore modern sports stadium here, underscoring that expanding access to quality playgrounds alongside a strong education system is key to steering the youth towards "purpose, performance, and global achievement".
The stadium coming up on 4.38 acres in Satouj will offer professional training and host a wide range of sports including badminton, handball, judo, netball, basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics, kabaddi and karate, according to an official release.
"It is a historic day for the region as this stadium is coming up at a cost of Rs 14.63 crore. This stadium will be constructed over an area of 4.38 acres, and the complex will host various sporting activities," Mann said.
"The stadium will have a 200-metre athletic track, pavilion for spectators and players and a multipurpose indoor sports hall," he said.
While highlighting the wide range of facilities being created, Mann said professional training opportunities will be provided to children and youngsters in the stadium, adding that this project will ensure that the area emerges as a sports hub.
Emphasising the importance of balanced development, he said, "When there is a good school for education and a proper ground for sports, a child can bring glory to their village, state, and country on the global stage."
Reaffirming the Punjab government's focus on youth development, Mann said, "It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the Punjab government is successfully providing world-class facilities for education and sports."
This project will help in further breaking the backbone of drugs by fostering sporting culture in the state, and it will help in channelising the unbounded energy of youth of state in a positive manner, he said.
Such stadiums will play an important role in helping the youth stay away from the curse of drugs and in order to encourage the youngsters to realise their dreams of winning medals in national and international sporting events, the CM said.
Later, Mann launched an ultra-modern community health centre here that aims to benefit the residents of 85 villages. It is equipped with round-the-clock emergency services, surgical facilities, treatment for serious illnesses and specialist care for children, he said.
Mann alleged that previous governments neglected regions like Dirba and kept development restricted. He said his government is reversing this by investing public money back into villages through hospitals, schools, libraries and roads.
"To impart quality health services to people, we have dedicated the CHC at village Kauhrian... This ambitious project has been completed at a cost of Rs 13.23 crore and the centre has a capacity of 30 beds," he said.
He further noted, "The CHC will also have paediatric specialists for treating children's diseases, and free treatment along with all necessary tests for mothers and children will be provided."
Mann added that dental treatment will also be provided by a specialist at the facility.
