2 cloudbursts trigger flash floods, road blockades in J&K's Kishtwar

JAMMU: Two cloudbursts struck Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Tuesday, triggering flash floods and road blockades in several areas, officials said.The cloudbursts occurred in Sarthal's Gahan area and Machhipal, prompting the district administration to launch restoration operations, deploy machinery for road clearance and issue a weather advisory warning residents against venturing near vulnerable water bodies.No loss of life has been reported so far, they added, according to news agency PTI.Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma immediately after receiving information about the incidents."Two cloudburst incidents were reported in district Kishtwar today. The first occurred in the Gahan area of Sarthal, while the second was reported from Machhipal," Singh said in a post on X.According to immediate field reports, there were no casualties, injuries or damage to property at either location, he said.Deputy Commissioner Sharma told reporters in Kishtwar that a cloudburst in a forest area triggered flash floods accompanied by heavy debris flow, affecting the Vrikshshala-Trofik stretch, Vrikshshala Zero Point, Machhipal, Saroor area and particularly the Sarthal village road."A large amount of debris has been deposited on the road and water has entered areas around residential settlements," Sharma said.

He said teams from various departments, including the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Lt (NHIDCL), were rushed to the affected areas, while JCB machines and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) equipment were deployed to restore connectivity and clear debris.While no loss of life or property had been reported so far, Sharma cautioned that continuing rainfall could trigger further weather-related incidents."We are repeatedly requesting people not to gather near nallahs, streams or other water bodies. Cloudbursts have become a recurring phenomenon over the past few years and people should avoid water bodies as such incidents can occur at any time," he said.The DC said the cloudburst occurred along the ridge between Drabshalla and Gujjuwa, resulting in flash floods that affected roads including the Drabshalla Zero Point, Suru-Sarthal, Gahan and Machhipal routes.Restoration work had already begun and the main highway up to Drabshalla had been cleared, he said, adding that authorities were coordinating with the general manager of NHIDCL in Doda to clear the stretch beyond Drabshalla towards Fatri.Meanwhile, the district administration issued a weather advisory warning of light to moderate rainfall and the possibility of flash floods near riverbanks, nallahs and other vulnerable locations.Residents, particularly those living near water bodies and loose structures, were urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions until weather conditions improve.All line departments, including Revenue, PWD, PMGSY, Jal Shakti, Health, Irrigation and Flood Control, NHIDCL, BRO and power utilities, have been directed to remain on alert and keep field staff ready to provide immediate assistance if required, the administration said.The administration has also activated its 24x7 district control room and directed all tehsildars to immediately report any weather-related damage to life or property.Later, Union minister Singh said Additional Deputy Commissioner Pawan Kotwal had confirmed that no loss of life or property had been reported.Teams from the District Red Cross, Police and Revenue Department had been dispatched to assess the affected sites, he added.Reports of road blockades had been received and men and machinery had been pressed into service to reopen the affected roads at the earliest, the minister said.Officials from the Revenue, Disaster Management, Police and other departments remain on alert and are maintaining continuous surveillance of the affected and adjoining areas. Mobile patrols and field staff are also in regular contact with local communities to assess conditions and provide assistance, he added.