Cloudburst triggers flash floods, 8 killed, 20 missing in Kishtwar, Ramban

Residential houses, others structures suffer damage in Kashmir

Srinagar: The cloudburst wrecked havoc in the parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and left at least eight persons including a non-local labourer from Chattisgarh dead.

Seven persons have died in flash floods triggered by the cloudburst in Kishtwar while a non-local labourer lost his life in Rajouri district after he was washed away in flash floods in the afternoon. The districts administrations in Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch have also sounded alert.

A cloud burst triggered flash floods in Honzar locality of Dacchan area in Kishtwar district on Wednesday. Officials said that seven persons died in the flash floods while 17 persons were rescued during the rescue operation and 20 persons are feared missing.

“Out of 17 persons rescued today, five have been referred to District Hospital Kishtwar as their condition was critical,” they said, adding that the rescue operation was stopped due to heavy rainfall, adding that the operation will be launched again on tomorrow morning.

In Rajouri district, a non-local labourer from Chattisgarh was washed away in flash floods today while another was rescued, they said.

Meanwhile, around 100 houses and other structures suffered minor or heavy damage due to windstorm, heavy rainfall and falling of trees in the district.

According to the details, the damage mostly occurred in Kathoo, Wapzoo and other areas of Bijbehara district. The nomadic people have also lost their cattle during the inclement weather conditions today in upper areas of Pahalgam and Sirhama.

Reports reaching here said that the horticulture sector has also suffered damage today.

In north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, a residential house and a Masjid were partially damaged after a cloudburst hit the upper reaches of Aloosa village, triggering flash floods.

Officials said that the cloudburst triggered flash floods in Aloosa, resulting in partial damage to a residential house, Masjid, while link roads were inundated.

They said that, however, there was no loss of life reported in the incident, while a foot bridge in the area got washed away.

A local news agency reported that the officials said that teams have been sent to the area to assess the damage.

A cloudburst hit near the Holy Amarnath Cave shrine in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said here, while stating that there was no loss of life or injury reported in the incident.

An official said that there was loss of life in the injury report as no Yatris were present at the cave at the time of the cloudburst near the cave.

He said that two SDRF teams are already at the cave while an additional team of SDRF has been deputed from Ganderbal district.

Meanwhile, the civil administration as well as police had requested the people of Gund and Kangan area to stay away from river Sindh.

“In view of incessant rains and reported cloud burst at holy cave shrine, the general public in areas of Gund and Kangan is requested to stay away from river Sindh, as there may be sudden increase in flow of water,” SDPO Kangan said.

Meanwhile, the rest of the districts heaved a sigh of relief from scorching heat after light rains lashed plains and other places since last evening.

In some areas in Kupwara and others districts, the rainfall inundated the roads and streets, causing huge inconvenience to the locals.

Moreover, the local Meteorological department (MeT) here has predicted flash floods, landslides and mudslides in wake of the forecast of wet spell till July 30.

“There is a possibility of rainfall at isolated places across Jammu and Kashmir from 28-30,” Director MeT, Sonum Lotus said.

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