Srinagar, Jammu: At least eight persons died and 20 persons are feared missing while several structures got damaged after cloudbursts triggered flash floods in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir amid incessant rains on Wednesday.
The isolated places across Jammu and Kashmir received heavy rainfall since last evening, bringing down the soaring temperature in Jammu & Kashmir.
Reports said seven persons have died in Kishtwar district Wednesday after a cloud burst triggered flash floods in Honzar locality of Dacchan area in the district.
The officials said that 17 persons were rescued during the rescue operation launched by Army, Police, SDRF and locals, adding that 15-20 persons are feared missing.
“Out of 17 persons were rescued Wednesday and five have been referred to District Hospital Kishtwar as their condition was critical,” they said.
They said that the rescue operation has been put on halt due to incessant rainfall and the evening, adding that the operation will be launched again on tomorrow morning.
In Rajouri district, one non-local labourer got washed away in flash floods on Wednesday while another was rescued, they said. A non-local unidentified labourer from Chattisgarh got washed away in flash floods, officials said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan said that the administration has sounded high alert as the situation is very grim since morning.
The district administration Poonch has also sounded alert after the water level got increased in all the water bodies in the district.
The situation however remained normal in other Jammu districts throughout the day where heavy rainfall was recorded since July 27.
In South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, around 100 houses and other structures suffered minor or heavy damage due to windstorm, heavy rainfall and falling of trees in the district.
According to the details, the damage mostly occurred in Kathoo, Wapzoo and other areas of Bijbehara district. The nomadic people have also lost their cattle during the inclement weather conditions Wednesday in upper areas of Pahalgam and Sirhama.
Reports reaching here said that the horticulture sector has also suffered damage Wednesday.
In north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, a residential house and a Masjid were partially damaged after a cloudburst hit the upper reaches of Aloosa village, triggering flash floods.
Officials said that the cloudburst triggered flash floods in Aloosa, resulting in partial damage to a residential house, Masjid, while link roads were inundated.
They said that, however, there was no loss of life reported in the incident, while a foot bridge in the area got washed away. The officials said that teams have been sent to the area to assess the damage.
Meanwhile, the rest of the districts heaved a sigh of relief from scorching heat after light rains lashed plains and other places since last evening. In some areas in Kupwara and others districts, the rainfall inundated the roads and streets, causing huge inconvenience to the locals.
Moreover, the local Meteorological department (MeT) here has predicted flash floods, landslides and mudslides in wake of the forecast of wet spell till July 30.
“There is a possibility of rainfall at isolated places across Jammu and Kashmir from 28-30,” Director MeT, Sonum Lotus said.
