31 killed in 35 cloudbursts across IIOJK this year
Srinagar: At least 31 people have been killed in 35 cloudbursts reported across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) so far this year, with the disasters causing widespread damage to homes, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.
According to Kashmir Media Service, most of the fatalities resulted from cloudbursts, flash floods and rain-triggered landslides, with the Jammu region accounting for the highest death toll.
The worst-hit districts include Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda and Kishtwar in Jammu region, while Shopian and Kupwara districts in Kashmir valley have witnessed repeated flash floods in recent weeks.
The latest spell of extreme weather claimed two lives, including a woman, after multiple cloudbursts struck different parts of the territory, including Kupwara, Shopian, Bandipora and Islamabad districts. Incessant rainfall disrupted normal life across the occupied territory.
Official data from the IIOJK traffic administration show that recurring cloudbursts have damaged dozens of houses, shops, schools, roads, bridges, irrigation canals and vast stretches of agricultural land this year. Several villages were inundated by flash floods, forcing authorities to evacuate residents and deploy rescue teams.
The Chenab Valley, particularly Doda and Kishtwar, has emerged as the region most vulnerable to cloudbursts and flash floods this year. Disaster management officials said the mountainous terrain, steep slopes and numerous seasonal streams make these districts highly susceptible to such disasters. The upper reaches of Shopian, Kupwara and other hilly areas of the Kashmir Valley also remain highly vulnerable to such disasters.
Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Jammu highway has witnessed repeated closures due to landslides, mudslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy rainfall, affecting passenger movement and the supply of essential commodities on several occasions.
