Heavy cloudbursts and flash floods battered Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives and significant damage across multiple districts. The incidents unfolded amid a backdrop of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, affecting infrastructure and community safety.
Traffic on major routes, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Jammu-Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road, came to a standstill for nearly three hours due to mudslides near Deval in the Chenani region of Udhampur. Helicopter operations to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine faced disruptions lasting over six hours amidst the adverse weather conditions.
In Kupwara district, locals mourned the loss of Naseema Begum, a resident from Warnow, who lost her life in a cloudburst that prompted severe flash floods in the Himli area of Lolab. Rescue teams found her body during search operations, highlighting the immediate dangers posed by the unpredictable weather.
In another tragic incident, 17-year-old Murtaza Bashir from Boniyar succumbed to drowning while attempting to navigate a water body that swelled dangerously due to the torrential rains. The fatalities underscore the urgency of assessing flood management strategies in the region.
As strong winds uprooted trees in parts of Lolab and caused damage to residential homes, personnel from the Army joined local relief operations. They assessed damage and assisted families displaced by the flooding.
Reports also surfaced from Shopian district, where flash floods struck villages like Zavora, Budherhama, and Kijarsinda. Officials clarified that the flooding resulted from two hours of uninterrupted rainfall rather than a cloudburst. Water inundated several homes in Budherhama within minutes, necessitating evacuations.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) mobilized teams to conduct rescues in Zavora and dispatched additional support to Budherhama for relief and damage evaluations, though no casualties occurred during these events.
Panic gripped Anantnag district when a cloudburst struck the Batkoot area of Pahalgam. Local streams including Wardbal Nallah overflowed, leading to rapid increases in the water levels of Lidder Nallah. Damage to critical roadways near Langnai Bridge and Awoora Nallah severely hindered access to Pahalgam.
Officials confirmed that this marked the third cloudburst to affect Nallah Awoora in less than a month. The Anantnag Police undertook evacuation efforts for tourists stranded on both banks of Langanbal Bridge, clearing the area to ensure safe passage.
Cloudbursts occurred in multiple locations, including the Arin-Dardpora area of Bandipora along with Tral in Pulwama district. In Tral, flash floods affected villages like Nagbal, prompting calls for the construction of protective embankments to shield residents.
In Ganderbal district, overflowing streams led to significant flooding in low-lying areas, while strong winds also caused a residential roof to give way and downed electricity poles.
Villagers in Kargil faced flash floods that decimated crops and damaged infrastructure, though no human casualties were reported. Meanwhile, in Kishtwar district, a cloudburst devastated villages like Guman Radd and Surnoo, causing severe agricultural damage as the floodwaters eroded farmland.
Kishtwar’s Deputy Commissioner, Pankaj Sharma, reported the deployment of a Revenue Department team to assess the disaster’s extent. Additionally, a rescue team successfully retrieved four boys stranded in Dal Lake after their boat faced capricious winds.
The heavy rains also influenced traffic conditions throughout the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, with suspension beginning around 4:30 PM as mudslides blocked the road. Workers from the National Highways Authority of India set to work, restoring partial traffic flow by early evening despite persisting congestions in adjoining areas.
Various districts, including Reasi and Rajouri, also grappled with heavy rainfall, prompting authorities to issue flood advisories for affected populations. In Shahpur, mudslides rendered a kutcha home uninhabitable, yet occupants escaped unharmed.
Authorities identified numerous critical zones prone to floods, advising residents to evacuate to safer locations and protect vulnerable community members.
In Poonch district, landslide risks prompted rigorous inspections of potentially affected areas. Officials reported ongoing slope instability in Bosa Jabra-Sarroti village, having already caused significant infrastructural damage.
A temporary relief camp was established to support the displaced families while the local administration sought to provide immediate aid and supplies.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar predicts continued heavy rainfall through the week. Risk of additional cloudbursts remains high, alongside potential flash floods and landslides affecting vulnerable areas. Residents and visitors must remain vigilant, adhering strictly to local advisories to ensure their safety.
