Leh: A centuries-old building in the Kharyouk area of Leh city, located in the union territory of Ladakh, collapsed on Sunday evening due to continuous rainfall in the region. The 450-year-old structure gave way under the weight of the heavy downpour, according to a local resident named Haider.
In addition to the collapsed building, several other old houses in the area were also damaged by the heavy rains. Leh experienced rainfall measuring 14.5 mm in the past nine hours on Sunday, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Haider explained that the prolonged rainfall led to water leakage in rooms, causing harm to the ancient structures.
#WATCH | Ladakh | A few houses in Kharyok of Leh damaged due to incessant rainfall in the region.
A resident, Haidar says, “This is around 450 years old but this collapsed due to the recent incessant rainfall…” pic.twitter.com/EAe4sZbUcR
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2023
Although there was a cloud burst in 2010, the resulting damage was not as extensive. However, this time the impact on the old buildings has been significant, said Haider.
Rainfall, snowfall expected says IMD
The Meteorological Centre in Ladakh issued a warning stating that widespread rainfall and snowfall are expected to persist in the higher reaches of the region. In a tweet on Sunday, the IMD urged people to remain vigilant, announcing a red color warning for Ladakh for the next 24 hours. Unusual snowfall during the summer peak, coupled with continuous rain and snowfall in the higher areas, has been forecasted.
Jammu-Srinagar highway remains closed
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Srinagar National Highway remained closed on Monday after a section of the road collapsed in Ramban district, owing to heavy rainfall in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mohammed Jahangir, a local resident traveling in the area, expressed the difficulties faced by the public due to the road conditions. He mentioned the lack of adequate arrangements made by the administration for visitors and suggested that either people should be stopped from entering the affected Ramban stretch or suitable arrangements should be made for their safe passage.
The impact of the heavy rainfall and subsequent infrastructure damage highlights the need for increased attention to infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness in the region.
