Cloudbursts and flash floods devastated Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, resulting in two fatalities and extensive damage to roads and agricultural lands across multiple districts. The inclement weather struck the Kashmir Valley, where heavy rain caused local streams to overflow.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Jammu-Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road faced traffic disruptions for nearly three hours due to mudslides near Deval in Chenani, while helicopter services to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine were halted for more than six hours.
In Kupwara district, a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Himli village resulted in the death of Naseema Begum, the wife of Mohammad Ayub from Warnow. Her body was retrieved during a recovery operation by rescue teams, officials confirmed.
Tragically, Murtaza Bashir, a resident of Boniyar in Baramulla district, drowned in a local water body amid rising flood risks. As the situation deteriorated, strong winds uprooted trees, damaging homes in Lolab. The Army collaborated with local authorities to assist those affected.
Flash floods struck Zavora, Budherhama, and Kijarsinda villages in Shopian district due to intense rainfall, which led to the overflow of local streams. Officials clarified that these floods were not a result of cloudbursts but rather heavy rainfall over a short period.
Families in Budherhama faced immediate evacuation as numerous houses flooded rapidly. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams engaged in rescue operations in affected areas, ensuring the safety of residents.
Panic spread in Anantnag district when a cloudburst hit Batkoot near Pahalgam, releasing torrents of water into adjacent streams. Authorities indicated this was the third significant cloudburst in Nallah Awoora over the past month.
Their immediate response involved evacuating stranded tourists on both sides of Langanbal Bridge. Police coordinated efforts to clear the bridge safely, allowing tourists to pass uninterrupted.
Additionally, cloudbursts affected the Arin-Dardpora area of Bandipora and the Abloas forest in Tral, Pulwama district. In Tral, residents endured a rise in water levels in Watal Ara stream, prompting them to call for protective embankments. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in these areas.
Ganderbal district witnessed streams overflowing their banks, inundating Haripora, Uprash, and Sarbal. In Bakura, strong winds caused roof damage to a house and uprooted electric poles, further aggravating local conditions.
In Kargil’s Hardass and Tumail villages, flash floods caused damage to crops and infrastructure. However, no fatalities occurred there. In Kishtwar, a cloudburst in Guman Radd and Surnoo villages led to soil erosion and harm to agricultural land.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma dispatched a Revenue Department team to evaluate the extent of losses in affected areas.
In Dal Lake, four boys required rescue after their boat became stranded due to rapid winds. SDRF Quick Response Team promptly evacuated them without incident.
The earlier traffic disruptions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway resumed around 7:30 PM after the National Highways Authority of India cleared debris caused by mudslides. However, heavy traffic congestion persisted in Nashri, Chenani, and Ramban into the evening.
Heavy rains also affected Reasi, Katra, and Rajouri districts, prompting local authorities to issue advisories for residents in flood-prone areas. A mudslide impacted a kutcha house in Rajouri’s Shahpur village, fortunately, all occupants remained unharmed.
The district administration issued warnings to residents in vulnerable regions. They advised families, especially those with children and elderly individuals, to relocate to safe places prior to any potential flooding.
In Poonch district, Mendhar administration assessed landslide impacts in Bosa Jabra-Sarroti village. Continuous slope movement has threatened local homes and infrastructure since the initial slide on July 22.
Officials reported significant damage to five homes and two government schools, while another ten homes developed serious cracks. A temporary relief camp has been set up to provide necessities to 73 affected individuals from twelve families.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar forecasted that this wet spell would persist throughout the week. Light to moderate rains may continue until August 7, with a potential decrease in rainfall activity from August 8.
Authorities warned that intense rainfall could trigger flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas. Residents, including pilgrims and tourists, must remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather. Following advisories from local administration is crucial to ensure safety during these weather extremes.
