Srinagar, Aug 01: Heavy rains wreaked havoc across parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, with a cloudburst causing extensive damage in Kishtwar’s Chatroo area and flash floods inundating residential localities in Shopian’s Pehlipora village. However, there was no report of any loss of life in either incident.
Eye-witnesses told Rising Kashmir that in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district of Jammu, a cloudburst unleashed a torrent of water, mud and boulders, damaging many houses and shops, sweeping away several vehicles and leaving residents scrambling for safety. “The deluge also triggered landslides, forcing the closure of the Kishtwar National Highway, the district’s lifeline connecting it with Jammu, disrupting traffic and leaving hundreds of commuters stranded,” residents said.
They said that the cloudburst left a trail of destruction, with floodwaters carrying debris, uprooted trees and rocks through residential areas and the local market. “Several houses developed cracks, shops were inundated, while parked vehicles were washed away by the force of the water,” said Ghulam Nabi, a local resident. “Power supply and communication were affected in some areas as officials launched restoration works.”
Another resident, Pervez Ahmad, said that it all happened within minutes. “Vehicles were washed away before anyone could react, while several houses and shops suffered extensive damage. We have never witnessed such a terrifying situation,” he said.
Despite the large-scale destruction, officials said there was no loss of life and teams from the district administration, police, and SDRF were immediately deployed to assess the damage and assist affected families.
In Pehlipora village of Shopian district of south Kashmir, flash floods triggered by torrential rain sent muddy water rushing into dozens of houses, forcing residents to hurriedly shift furniture, bedding, food stocks and other household belongings to upper floors. Several lanes remained submerged for hours as locals struggled to drain water from their homes.
Scenes of panic unfolded as families, including women and children, were seen carrying household items to safer places while others attempted to divert floodwaters using makeshift barriers. Though there were no casualties, household goods and electrical appliances were damaged in many homes.
“The water entered our houses within a short span of time. We barely had time to save our belongings. Thankfully, everyone remained safe, but the damage to household items is significant,” said Muhammad Zaid, a resident of Pehlipora.
The latest spell of extreme weather comes amid a noticeable rise in cloudburst incidents across J&K.
Official data reveals that 21 cloudbursts were reported during June and July this year, including 14 in the Jammu region and seven in the Kashmir Valley, highlighting the growing frequency of such extreme weather events.
Director, Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said the current wet spell is expected to continue till August 7, with intermittent rain and thunderstorms likely across J&K.
“Intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected till August 7. Isolated places, particularly the hilly districts and the Pir Panjal range in Jammu, may receive intense showers capable of triggering cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones. People should remain vigilant and avoid venturing near vulnerable areas during heavy rainfall,” Dr Ahmad said.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif said the prevailing weather system continues to favour highly localised but intense rainfall over mountainous terrain.
“The interaction of monsoon moisture with the Himalayan topography is creating conditions for very intense, localised downpours. Such weather can rapidly trigger flash floods and cloudbursts, particularly in hilly districts, even when nearby areas receive comparatively less rainfall,” Arif said.
Officials said district administrations across vulnerable districts have been placed on alert, while disaster response agencies are closely monitoring water levels in streams and nallahs. Road clearance operations, restoration of essential services and damage assessment are underway in the affected areas.
The latest incidents once again underscore the increasing vulnerability of J&K’s mountainous landscape to extreme weather events.
Experts have stressed the need for stronger early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and improved drainage networks as the frequency of cloudbursts and flash floods continues to rise across the Himalayan region.
With the MeT forecasting continued wet weather over the next week, authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel on landslide-prone roads, stay away from overflowing streams and nallahs, and strictly follow official weather advisories.
