A flash flood reportedly caused by a cloudburst around 3 am today wreaked havoc on the outskirts of Jammu city, killing cattle, damaging houses and washing away crops. There were, however, no reports of loss of life. The Kangrial, Khabahdanga, Mishriwalla, Marh, Pargwal, Jhiri, Bhalwal, Kot areas and adjoining localities were badly affected as belongings of the people were washed away in the flood. Meanwhile, the authorities have issued a red alert in some areas because the water level in the Chenab has risen due to the flash flood. Initial reports said dozens of cows had died and more than 100 houses were damaged. Poultry birds at two farms were reportedly washed away in the flood. Some portion of the Jammu-Akhnoor road and some link roads were also washed away. Power supply to the affected areas was snapped as a large numbers of poles were washed away. “I have directed the officials concerned to immediately start relief operations in the affected areas,” said Minister for Planning, Development, Labour and Employment Ajay Sadhotra. The minister said relief had been disbursed to the affected families and the authorities were assessing the the losses caused by the natural calamity. Giving details of the incident, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, AK Sahu, who rushed to the affected areas, said the flash flood, triggered reportedly by a cloud burst, had caused huge damage in some areas of the Marh and Raipur Domana Assembly segments. He said there was no report of any loss of life or injuries due to the flash flood. The Deputy Commissioner said portions of some roads were washed away due to the flash flood and the departments concerned had started repairing the roads. “Emergent relief has been distributed to the affected families from the natural calamity fund,” he said and added that officials had been directed to conduct a ground-level survey to assess the total losses caused by the flood. Eyewitnesses told The Tribune that at 3 am today water entered into the houses. Locals believed that the flash flood was triggered by a cloud burst in the upper reaches because within no time water entered into the houses and people got no time to take along their belongings. Desraj, who runs a poultry farm in the Marh area, said nearly 4,000 birds at his poultry farm were washed away in the flood. Meanwhile, former minister and senior Congress leader Mula Ram demanded immediate ex gratia for the affected people and compensation for the losses they had suffered, besides restoration of essential services in the area. BJP leader Bali Bhagat also toured the affected areas of the Kot panchayat in the Bhalwal block and demanded immediate relief for the affected families. He said joint teams of various departments should restore essential services in the affected areas.