MUZAFFARABAD: At least three persons, including a minor, were killed and one injured in rain related incidents in as many districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday night, an official said on Saturday.

Two died in incidents of house collapse while one lost life in a road accident, said Saeed Qureshi, a director at the state disaster management authority (SDMA).

According to him, Tauqeer Shabbir, a 17-year old student, died after the mud roof of their cattle pen collapsed in Shai Kas (Charhoi) village of Kotli district.

In Haveli district, three-year-old Insha Sabir died after their house collapsed in Haji Bal village of Khurshidabad tehsil, he added.

Mr Qureshi said thata jeep skidded off the roadin Bhai Bekh village on the outskirts of Rawalakot, causing death of one Mohammad Sufyan and injuries to driver. Both the victims belonged to Tararkhal area of Sudhnoti district and were employees of a cellular network.

Mr Qureshi said that in Gulkot village of Sudhnoti district, a house collapsed due to heavy rainfall but no casualties were reported from there.

He informed Dawn that most of the inter and intra district roads in the high altitude areas of northern AJK districts had been blocked due to heavy snowfall or landslides, but machinery had been deployed to clear them for traffic.

He urged people to avoid travel until improvement in weather conditions and clearance of snow from the arteries.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2022