Residences and several hotels were inundated in Pahalgam as a result of a suspected cloudburst that triggered flash floods disrupting normal life. According to officials, a sudden spell of intense rainfall, believed to have been caused by a localized cloudburst, hit the forested areas of Awoora and Dehwathu in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The cloudburst apparently led to flash floods in a stream in Awoora which later merges with the Lidder stream near Batkut.
At least a dozen of hotels were inundated forcing authorities to rescue tourists and shift them to safer locations, officials said. No reports of any causalities or injuries have been made so far.
The cloudburst reportedly took place at between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm on leading to subsequent flash flooding that occurred between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm activating emergency forces. Officials added, water levels in both the Sheshnag Nullah and the Lidder Nullah sharply rose due to incessant rainfall. However, the water bodies were currently flowing below the danger mark, and the administration is closely monitoring the situation.
Similar flash flood-like conditions triggered by heavy rainfall casued widespread disruption in the Kishtwar and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to multiple landslides, road blockages, and damage to vehicles. On Monday, a massive landslide buried several vehicles under heavy debris near the 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project in Kishtwar district. The landslide according to local authorities was a result of heavy rainfall that loosened the firm of sand, mud and rocks on the hillside rolling it onto the road. Several vehicles passing through or parked near the project site were trapped beneath the rubble, with many suffering extensive damage.