A cloudburst in the Chhatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Saturday triggered panic. Several vehicles were swept away after being caught in the sudden, powerful surge of water and debris.
किश्तवाड़ में फटा बादल, वाहनों – दुकानों को भारी नुक्सान, सभी स्कूलों में छुट्टी का आदेश
Chaos ensued in the Chhatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Saturday following a cloudburst. Vehicles were swept away by the sudden, powerful surge of water and debris, and damage to property has been reported in several locations. Administrative teams have reached the site to take stock of the situation and assess the extent of the damage.
The cloudburst triggered a rapid flow of water and debris through the area, disrupting normal life. However, there have been no reports of casualties or injuries so far.
As a precautionary measure, the administration has closed the Chhatroo-Kishtwar National Highway to vehicular traffic. People have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel given the weather conditions and to adhere to the guidelines issued by the administration.
Order to keep all district schools closed
In view of the persistent inclement weather and the cloudburst incident, the district administration has ordered the closure of all schools in Kishtwar district. Officials stated that this decision was taken to ensure the safety of students.
Teams from the administration, police, and relevant departments are closely monitoring the situation. Preparations for relief and rescue operations in the affected areas are underway. A decision regarding the resumption of traffic will be taken only after the weather improves and road conditions normalize.
Market hit by flash floods; vehicles swept away
According to officials, the flash flood triggered by the cloudburst in Chhatroo around 2:30 AM on Saturday left the main market inundated with stones, soil, and mud. At least two vehicles parked near a local stream were swept away by the strong currents, while water entered several shops and homes. Traffic on the Kishtwar-Chhatroo-Sinthan National Highway was also disrupted due to heavy rainfall; however, the obstruction was later cleared, and the movement of light vehicles was restored. Schools Closed in Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban
Orders have been issued to keep all government and private schools closed in the Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts due to continuous rainfall, slippery roads, and the risk of falling rocks. Officials have instructed schools to conduct classes online.
Centre Strengthens Early Warning Systems
Following the incident, Union Minister Jitendra Singh sought a briefing from the Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner and stated that affected shopkeepers and business owners would be compensated in accordance with government norms.
He noted that disaster management capabilities in the region have been strengthened following the cloudburst incident at Chasoti last year. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has installed two modern Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Kishtwar and Machail to provide advance information regarding weather-related hazards. Additionally, the process of installing an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) in the Paddar region is underway. The administration has urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during inclement weather.
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