Jammu and Kashmir faced severe weather on Monday, August 1, 2023, as cloudbursts and flash floods swept through the region, claiming two lives and damaging infrastructure. Flash floods and high winds wreaked havoc across several districts, leading to substantial destruction.
Traffic halted on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Jammu-Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road for nearly three hours due to mudslides near Deval in Chenani. Helicopter services to the famed Mata Vaishno Devi shrine also faced disruptions lasting over six hours due to the adverse weather conditions.
In the Kupwara district, a cloudburst prompted flash floods in the Himli area of Lolab, resulting in the death of Naseema Begum, wife of Mohammad Ayub from Warnow. Officials recovered her body following a search operation.
Another fatal incident occurred in Baramulla district, where Murtaza Bashir, son of Bashir Ahmad Lone, tragically drowned in a water body at Singhpora amidst the inclement weather.
Strong winds uprooted numerous trees across Lolab, causing damage to various residential structures. The Army joined in relief efforts, helping affected families and evaluating the extent of the damage caused.
Flash floods also surged through Zavora, Budherhama, and Kijarsinda villages in Shopian district after intense rainfall resulted in local streams overflowing. Officials clarified that flooding primarily arose from heavy rain lasting about two hours, rather than a cloudburst. In Budherhama, homes inundated in moments forced families to seek safer ground.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted prompt rescue operations in Zavora, dispatching additional personnel to Budherhama for relief and damage assessments. Local officials reported no casualties from this district.
Meanwhile, Anantnag district experienced a cloudburst that struck Pahalgam’s Batkoot area, triggering panic among residents and tourists alike. Flooding occurred as streams overflowed, elevating the water levels in the Lidder Nallah. Roads near Langnai Bridge and Awoora Nallah sustained significant damage, blocking access to Pahalgam.
Authorities noted this incident marks the third cloudburst to hit Nallah Awoora in just a month. Anantnag Police stepped in to evacuate stranded tourists from both sides of the Langanbal Bridge, clearing the passage incrementally to ensure everyone’s safety.
Additional cloudbursts occurred in the Bandipora area as well as the Abloas forest region in Tral, Pulwama district. Flash floods from the Watal Ara stream affected Nagbal and nearby villages, compelling residents to call on local administration for protective embankments along the stream to prevent future floods.
In Ganderbal district, overflowing streams inundated low-lying areas including Haripora, Uprash, and Sarbal. Flooding deposited mud and slush on roads, while fierce winds in Bakura blew off the roof of a house and caused damage to an electricity pole.
Damage to crops, roads, and infrastructure also occurred in Hardass and Tumail villages of Kargil due to flash floods, although these incidents did not result in loss of life.
A cloudburst hit Guman Radd and Surnoo villages in Kishtwar district’s Dachhan block, causing a flash flood in Kiyar Nallah that resulted in soil erosion and damaged agricultural lands.
Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, confirmed that a team from the Revenue Department has been dispatched to assess damages in the affected areas.
On a positive note, four boys were rescued from Dal Lake after their boat became stranded amid sudden gusty winds. An SDRF Quick Response Team from Hazratbal promptly evacuated them to safety.
Traffic flow on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was disrupted around 4:30 p.m. due to mudslides near Deval-Samroli in Chenani. The highway’s closure also affected routes towards Batote, Doda, and Kishtwar. The National Highways Authority of India quickly deployed machinery to clear debris and restored one-way traffic by 7:30 p.m., although heavy congestion persisted in Nashri, Chenani, and Ramban until late evening.
Heavy rainfall also impacted Reasi, Katra, and Rajouri districts, necessitating advisories for residents in flood-prone areas. A mudslide struck a kutcha house in Shahpur village, Kotranka in Rajouri, but thankfully no occupants suffered injury.
The district administration has identified areas particularly vulnerable to flooding, including Naban Mohalla, Tariq Bridge, MLA Housing Colony, and portions of Nowshera, recommending residents move to safer locations promptly.
In Poonch district, the Mendhar administration inspected Bosa Jabra-Sarroti village, affected by continuous landslides. The inspection was spearheaded by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mendhar Irfan Rashid Kataria, who noted the landslide began on July 22 and remains an active threat.
The landslide has damaged five houses and two schools, while around 10-12 houses have develop significant cracks, rendering them unsafe. A nearby graveyard sustaining around 200 graves also faced damage due to ground shifting.
A total of 12 families, comprising 73 individuals, have been displaced, necessitating the establishment of a temporary relief camp with tents and essential supplies.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar indicated that heavy rains would persist throughout the week, with light to moderate rain forecast for August 3 and 4, and the possibility of torrential downpours in various districts. Local residents, pilgrims, and tourists should remain proactive, avoid travel through vulnerable areas, and adhere to local advisories during these heavy rain events.
