Severe cloudbursts and flash floods battered Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, leaving two people dead and causing extensive damage to roads, crops, and homes across various districts. As heavy rain and strong winds lashed the region, the impact was particularly felt in the Kashmir Valley, where infrastructure suffered greatly.
Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Jammu-Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road came to a standstill for nearly three hours due to fresh mudslides near Deval in the Chenani area of Udhampur. Helicopter services to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine also faced interruptions for over six hours because of adverse weather conditions.
A tragic incident in Kupwara district involved a cloudburst that triggered flash floods in the Himli area of Lolab, resulting in the death of Naseema Begum, aged 25, who was the wife of Mohammad Ayub from Warnow. Rescue teams recovered her body shortly after the incident.
Another victim, Murtaza Bashir, 17, drowned in Singhpora, Baramulla district, as heavy rains engulfed the region. Such incidents highlight the severe impact of the downturn in weather on local lives, prompting local officials to issue urgent safety warnings.
In response to the situation, Army personnel joined ongoing relief operations, assessing damage and aiding affected families. Strong winds uprooted trees in Lolab, damaging residential structures and endangering lives within the communities.
Multiple villages in Shopian district, including Zavora, Budherhama, and Kijarsinda, reported flash floods, leading families to evacuate as intense rainfall caused local streams to overflow. Officials clarified that this flooding resulted from approximately two hours of heavy rain rather than a cloudburst.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams actively conducted rescue operations in Zavora while deploying additional personnel to Budherhama for relief and damage assessments. Fortunately, no casualties occurred in these areas.
In Anantnag district, another cloudburst struck the Batkoot area of Pahalgam, sparking panic among residents and tourists alike. Local streams, such as Wardbal Nallah, overflowed significantly, leading to a rapid increase in water levels in the Lidder Nallah. The damage affected transportation routes, as roads near Langnai Bridge and Awoora Nallah endured washouts or extensive damage.
Authorities reported this as the third significant cloudburst affecting Awoora in as many months. Anantnag Police took immediate action to evacuate stranded tourists from both sides of the Langanbal Bridge, ensuring everyone’s safety amidst the chaos.
Severe weather also led to cloudbursts in the Arin-Dardpora area of Bandipora and Pulwama’s Abloas forest region, with flash floods impacting Nagbal and adjoining villages. Local residents urged officials to construct protective embankments to safeguard against future flooding.
In Ganderbal district, residents faced difficulties as overflowing streams inundated low-lying areas, including Haripora, Uprash, and Sarbal. Meanwhile, Bakura experienced strong winds, resulting in roofs being blown off and electricity poles suffering damage.
Hardass and Tumail villages in Kargil witnessed damage to crops and infrastructure due to flash floods, but there reported no loss of life. In Kishtwar, a cloudburst struck Guman Radd and Surnoo villages, leading to soil erosion and damaging agricultural land.
Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, confirmed that a revenue team would assess the damage and losses in affected areas. This proactive approach aims to aid those in need during these adverse weather conditions.
As the day progressed, four boys required rescue from Dal Lake after their boat became stranded due to sudden gusty winds. Fortunately, an SDRF Quick Response Team from Hazratbal reached the scene and ensured their safe evacuation.
By early evening, the National Highways Authority of India had dispatched machinery to clear the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, enabling one-way traffic restoration at approximately 7:30 PM. Nevertheless, significant traffic congestion continued to plague Nashri, Chenani, and Ramban throughout the night.
Anticipating further rainfall, officials in Reasi, Katra, and Rajouri issued advisories for residents in flood-prone regions. The weather office confirmed that the wet spell would likely persist throughout the week, with light to moderate rain and potential intense showers on subsequent days.
Due to the likelihood of landslides and flash floods caused by this intense weather, local officials advised residents, especially those in vulnerable areas, to remain alert and avoid travelling during heavy rains. Families with children, elderly members, and individuals with disabilities should move to safer locations without delay.
As weather conditions worsen, continuous monitoring and prompt emergency measures will be crucial in safeguarding the lives and property of residents in Jammu and Kashmir.
