SDRF Teams Deployed Across Valley As Weather Batters Multiple Districts
Srinagar, Aug 3: Kashmir witnessed widespread disruption on Monday as cloudbursts, flash floods, heavy rain and gusty winds lashed several districts, leaving one woman dead, forcing evacuation of dozens, damaging infrastructure, and prompting multiple rescue operations including the safe evacuation of four boys from Dal Lake.
Reports reaching GNS said that the worst-affected areas included Kupwara, Shopian, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Bandipora, where authorities launched rescue and damage assessment operations as adverse weather impacted normal life.
In south Kashmir’s Shopian district, a cloudburst in the upper reaches triggered flash floods in Zavora, Budherhama and Kijarsinda. The SDRF Rescue Team Shopian immediately launched evacuation operations and safely shifted around 80 people, including schoolchildren and staff, to safer locations. Officials said no loss of life or damage to property has been reported from Shopian so far and a detailed assessment is underway.
Tragedy struck in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district where a cloudburst in the Himli area of Lolab triggered flash floods that claimed the life of Naseema Begum, wife of Mohd Ayub and a resident of Warnow. Police said her body was recovered after a search operation launched following the sudden surge of floodwaters. Damage assessment is in progress in the area.
In Anantnag, another cloudburst hit the Batkoot area of Pahalgam, causing flash floods that led to panic among residents and tourists. Authorities deployed monitoring teams to assess the impact. Heavy rainfall also blocked the Aishmuqam–Pahalgam road near Langnai Bridge, while the bridge at Langnai Batkoot sustained damage after being hit by strong water currents.
The adverse weather also affected the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam, where the rear concrete brick wall collapsed under heavy rain. Water entered the camp and damaged several dwelling tents. Officials said no injuries were reported and the situation has since been brought under control.
In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, strong winds swept through the Bakura area on Monday evening, blowing off the rooftop of a residential house and damaging an electric pole. No casualties or injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, the SDRF Rescue Team Bandipora has been deployed with all rescue equipment to Erin following a cloudburst that raised the threat of flash floods in several villages, including Sumlar and Erin. The team is coordinating with the civil administration and remains on standby to respond to any emergency.
In Srinagar, the QRT SDRF team from Hazratbal also carried out a separate rescue operation after a local boat carrying four boys got stranded in the middle of Dal Lake due to sudden gusty winds. Officials said all four boys were evacuated safely without any injuries, adding that the prompt response averted a possible tragedy.
Rescue agencies and district administrations across Kashmir remain on alert, with restoration work and damage assessment underway in the affected areas.(GNS)
