Kashmir: A massive cloudburst struck Doda district on Tuesday, triggering flash floods in Kahar village and causing the Chenab River to overflow, officials reported. Several people are feared dead following the sudden deluge.
Reports also indicate damage to nearly a dozen houses and a cowshed in the higher reaches of Kishtwar and Rajouri districts. Incessant rains have raised water levels in other rivers, including the Tawi and Ravi, submerging low-lying areas and roads across the region.
Heavy flooding has severely impacted the Chenab River basin in Doda, while its tributary, the Kalnai River, has been overflowing since early morning after intense, cloudburst-like rainfall. Several videos of rivers and streams flowing close to or above the danger mark have surfaced online.
Authorities in Ramban district reported incidents of stones being dislodged from hillocks at Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma. Water levels are rising in the Taranah River, Ujh River, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, Ravi River, and their tributaries in Kathua.
Infrastructure has been affected in multiple areas. A portion of the Padder road near Traith Nallah in Kishtwar was washed away, while Ramnagar-Udhampur road in Udhampur and Jangalwar-Thathri road in Doda were closed due to landslides at Konga and Thathri, respectively.
According to the meteorological department, Kathua recorded the highest rainfall of 155.6 mm in the last 24 hours ending 8:30 am, followed by Bhaderwah in Doda at 99.8 mm, Jammu at 81.5 mm, and Katra at 68.8 mm. Authorities have issued advisories, urging residents to avoid water bodies amid warnings of moderate to heavy rainfall in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and other districts of the union territory.
