Heavy rainfall triggered three cloudbursts and multiple flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda, Kishtwar, and Poonch districts on Tuesday, leading to road blockades, inundation of residential areas, and vehicles trapped under debris, officials reported.
No loss of life has been recorded so far, authorities confirmed.
Incident Details
Two cloudbursts were reported in Kishtwar district: the first in the Gahan area of Sarthal and the second in Machhipal. Another cloudburst struck the Thathri area of Doda district, sparking flash floods. In Doda, floodwaters swept through parts of Thathri, trapping several parked vehicles in debris, and forcing the evacuation of residents from homes that had been flooded.
Mudslides and debris also accumulated on the highway passing through the Thathri market area. In Poonch district, flash floods triggered by heavy rain affected the Sabzian-Ghorayank area of Mandi, depositing debris near a school building. No loss of life or property was reported there.
Official Response
Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha are closely monitoring the situation, with emergency teams deployed across the affected areas. Singh stated that he spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma immediately after receiving information about the incidents.
In a post on X, Singh said, "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." He added that field reports indicated no casualties, injuries, or property damage at either location.
Deputy Commissioner Sharma told reporters in Kishtwar that a cloudburst in a forest area triggered flash floods accompanied by a heavy flow of debris, affecting the Vrikshshala-Trofik stretch, Vrikshshala Zero Point, Machhipal, Saroor area, and particularly the Sarthal village road.
