Heavy rainfall across the mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar on Sunday triggered significant flashfloods and landslides, leading to the disruption of vehicular traffic on the Jammu-Kishtwar highway and causing floodwaters to inundate the under-construction 540 MW Kwar hydroelectric project. The deluge brought a substantial volume of muck, debris, and boulders to the project site in Kishtwar, impacting operations and infrastructure.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed that he had been briefed on the situation by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar. According to the minister’s statement, there were no reports of loss of life or property. He added that essential project machinery had been safely relocated, and all components of the Kwar project remained intact, alleviating immediate concerns about major damage. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the swift response in shifting machinery played a crucial role in preventing significant losses.
The National Highway-244, a vital link connecting Doda and Kishtwar, was rendered impassable early Sunday morning due to multiple landslide blockages. Traffic police officials initiated immediate restoration efforts following the slides. However, a portion of the highway sustained damage, which authorities indicated could continue to affect traffic flow even after the road is reopened to the public. The extent of this damage and the timeline for full restoration remain under assessment.
Near the Tail Race Tunnel (TRT) area of the Kwar project, several heavy motor vehicles and construction machines were submerged under the accumulated muck and debris. Officials reported that only one driver was present at the site when the flash flood struck but managed to escape unharmed after noticing the rising water levels. Clearance operations commenced and continued throughout the day, with authorities anticipating that complete restoration of the affected areas might take several days. The scale of the debris accumulation poses a significant challenge for recovery efforts.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kishtwar, Pawan Kotwal, issued a strong advisory urging residents to maintain vigilance throughout the ongoing monsoon season. He highlighted the region’s susceptibility to flash floods due to numerous vulnerable streams and water channels. In a precautionary measure, the Machail Mata Yatra has been temporarily suspended. The pilgrimage will only resume once weather conditions improve and it is deemed safe for devotees. This suspension underscores the seriousness of the current weather situation and its potential impact on public movement and religious activities.
Earlier, the administration had disseminated a weather advisory warning of potential heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, flashfloods, and landslides across vulnerable areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Residents, particularly those residing in proximity to rivers and streams, were strongly advised to remain alert and avoid potentially unsafe locations. The advisory aimed to preemptively mitigate risks associated with the severe weather patterns.
Data from the Meteorological Department indicated substantial rainfall in the Jammu region over the 24 hours preceding Monday morning. Samba recorded the highest precipitation with 90 mm, followed by Kathua at 66.2 mm, and Katra at 44.4 mm. Other districts also experienced significant rainfall, including Doda (42 mm), Jammu (41.8 mm), Udhampur (40.6 mm), Bhaderwah (33.6 mm), and Kishtwar (24 mm). Lighter rainfall was recorded in Reasi (10.5 mm), Batote (4.7 mm), Ramban (4.5 mm), and Banihal (0.4 mm). This widespread heavy rainfall is the direct cause of the flashfloods and landslides reported.
Looking ahead, the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar forecast generally cloudy conditions for Jammu and Kashmir from July 6 to 8. The forecast includes one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers expected at many places across the region. There is also a possibility of heavy rainfall occurring at isolated locations, particularly within the Jammu division. The Kashmir division is also anticipated to experience light to moderate rainfall, with brief periods of intense showers, primarily during the afternoon and early morning hours. These predictions suggest a continued risk of adverse weather conditions in the coming days, necessitating ongoing caution.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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