Hundreds of Warwan cloudburst survivors abandoned to face roofless winter
Jammu: In the remote Warwan Valley of Kishtwar district, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, hundreds of families who survived the devastating August cloudbursts are now bracing for a brutal winter — still without proper shelter, debris clearance or any meaningful rehabilitation from the authorities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in Margi, the largest village in the valley with over 500 households, survivors say they have been left to fend for themselves as temperatures begin to plunge towards minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Abdul Rashid, a 50-year-old labourer, has been living in a flimsy tin shed with his wife, five children, and a married son’s family since flash floods swept away their home on August 26. The debris that district officials promised to remove remains piled across the village. “We are forced to live in this shed amid this nail-biting cold as we have nowhere else to go,” Rashid told the media.
The floods washed away his house, livestock and potato fields — leaving him without any source of livelihood. “By morning, everything we owned had vanished,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
Margi, known for its potato fields and daily wage labourers, was among the hardest-hit villages. Official records show 224 residential structures were damaged — 50 destroyed, 130 severely damaged and 44 partially affected. At least 45 cattle perished, and the village’s shops, watermills and Jamia Masjid also suffered losses.
But villagers say the real scale of displacement has been grossly understated. “Close to 300 families have been affected in Margi alone,” a resident said. “The administration counts structures, not families.”
Multiple families living under one roof received a minimal compensation. Three brothers — Fayaz Ahmad Lone, Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone and Shabir Ahmad — had to share one payout despite each having a separate family. Two were forced to move to relatives’ homes in another village, while the third shifted to a rented room in Islamabad town.
Many residents recount similar stories. Muhammad Yousuf Lone, who lost his home and belongings, has taken refuge with relatives. His married son now lives with his in-laws. “My daughters even lost their books,” he said.
Despite being economically fragile, Warwan residents have been sheltering displaced families for months, often squeezing multiple families into small homes. “People have opened their homes, but they themselves live in small spaces. How long can they accommodate us?” asked Maqbool Ahmad, whose own house was badly damaged.
Warwan Valley remains cut off for months each winter as heavy snowfall shuts the only access route via Margan Top. Though the area falls under Kishtwar district, residents must travel through Kokernag in Islamabad to reach the rest of the region — adding to their isolation.
As winter tightens its grip, Abdul Rashid watches snow gathering on the surrounding peaks. Adjusting a plastic sheet flapping in the icy wind, he said quietly: “The chill has already started. I wonder how we will spend the night.”
Residents say the authorities’ indifference has left an entire valley battling cold, hunger and displacement alone — a chilling testament to official apathy.
