Jammu, August 26: A devastating cloudburst in Doda district, Jammu on Tuesday unleashed flash floods that have left several people feared dead and caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. The incident occurred in Kahar village, with the Chenab River overflowing as incessant rains battered the region.
Widespread Damage Across Districts
Reports suggest that nearly a dozen houses and a cowshed have been washed away in higher reaches of Kishtwar and Rajouri districts. Apart from the Chenab, rising water levels in the Tawi and Ravi rivers have submerged roads and low-lying areas, further intensifying the crisis.
Visuals of Rivers in Spate
Videos circulating online show rivers and streams in Doda and adjoining areas flowing near or above danger levels. The Kalnai River, a Chenab tributary, has been in full spate since early morning, following intense, cloudburst-like rainfall.
As a precaution, traffic on the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended, PTI reported. The district also witnessed incidents of shooting stones at Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban.
Roads Washed Away, Landslides Reported
Flooding and landslides have disrupted connectivity, with a section of the Padder Road near Traith Nallah in Kishtwar washed away. In Doda, the Jangalwar-Thathri road was closed due to a landslide at Thathri, while the Ramnagar-Udhampur road was blocked at Konga.
In Kathua, water levels are rising in several rivers and tributaries including the Taranah, Ujh, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, and Ravi.
Record Rainfall Data
According to the meteorological department, Kathua district received the heaviest rainfall in the region at 155.6 mm in the past 24 hours. This was followed by Bhaderwah (99.8 mm), Jammu (81.5 mm), and Katra (68.8 mm). The department has warned of moderate to heavy rainfall over the next several days in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, urging residents to avoid water bodies.
Meanwhile, the higher reaches of the Kashmir valley also experienced heavy showers, adding to concerns of further flooding and landslides.