Srinagar, Aug 3 (JKNS): Heavy rainfall accompanied by cloudbursts triggered flash floods and widespread damage across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday evening, leaving a woman missing in Kupwara district, damaging houses in Lolab, blocking roads in Pahalgam, disrupting traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), uprooting trees, damaging rooftops and causing a powerful surge in water flow in parts of Kishtwar, officials said.
Details accessed by news agency JKNS stated that heavy rainfall caused extensive damage to several residential houses in the Affan, Hemali and Kaninard areas of Warnow Lolab in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Officials said Naseema Begum, wife of Ayoob Pathan and a resident of Hemali Warnow, was reportedly swept away by flash floodwaters and remains missing. Rescue teams are being mobilised, while search operations are underway to trace her despite inclement weather.
Meanwhile, a fresh cloudburst was reported in the Batkoot area of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Initial reports indicate that Wardbal Nallah and several nearby streams overflowed within a short span of time following an intense spell of rainfall.
The sudden influx of water caused the Lidder Nallah to rise by several feet within nearly two hours, raising fears in low-lying areas. Weather observers said that while water levels in the Sheshnag Nallah and Aru Valley remained largely under control, the sharp rise in the Lidder indicated an extremely intense and localised cloudburst over the forested catchment around Batkoot, rapidly feeding runoff into the river.
Officials said the Bijbehara–Pahalgam Road has been blocked near Overa village due to flooding, while the bridge at Langnai Batkoot has come under threat because of the strong water current.
Reports were also received from Shopian, Srinagar, and several parts of Ganderbal, where intense rainfall caused waterlogging and a sudden rise in local streams. In Ganderbal district, strong winds accompanying the rain reportedly damaged the rooftops of several houses.
In north Kashmir’s Bandipora, a tree was uprooted due to heavy rain and gusty winds, falling on the Srinagar–Bandipora Road near Shilvat, Sumbal, temporarily disrupting traffic movement before clearance operations were launched.
In Kishtwar district, a powerful flow of water was reported from Dachan following the heavy rainfall, with locals describing the situation as the result of nature’s fury. Authorities are monitoring the area, while reports of damage are being assessed.
Meanwhile, traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has been suspended from both ends after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide near Dawal Bridge in the Samroli area of Udhampur district.
The affected stretch has narrowed into a single carriageway, with the road surface becoming highly slushy, muddy and extremely slippery. Men and machinery of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with Traffic Police, have been pressed into service to restore traffic, while commuters have been advised not to travel on the highway until it is declared safe.
Authorities have urged residents and travellers to avoid flood-prone areas, overflowing streams, landslide-prone stretches and unnecessary travel, and to strictly follow advisories issued by the administration as the wet spell continues.
Further details regarding the damage, rescue operations and restoration efforts are awaited. (JKNS)