Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 31

A cloudburst triggered flash flooding in a village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, inundating roads and entering residential areas, shops and a government school, residents said.

Heavy rain lashed Saderkoot Bala village for more than an hour, causing nearby streams to overflow and sending mud and debris into the area.

Residents said the rising waters of Astaan Nallah flooded parts of the village after debris from surrounding hills blocked the watercourse.

Floodwaters entered the grounds of a government primary school in Malpora, Saderkoot, forcing the school to close, residents said.

Heavy rain also caused mudslides on nearby hills, while debris disrupted traffic on the main road. Earthmoving machinery was later deployed to clear the route.

Residents called for repairs to the school, dredging of the Astaan Nallah and improvements to drainage infrastructure. They also sought retaining walls to reduce the risk of future flash floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rain lashed parts of Jammu division on Friday, with further showers expected over the next three to four days, according to the weather department.

“Most of the parts of Jammu division are likely to experience light to moderate rains during the next three-four days,” said Dr Mahender Singh, chief scientist and in-charge of agrometeorology at SKUAST-Jammu.

He said isolated areas including Batote, Doda, parts of the Chenab Valley, Katra and higher reaches of Reasi could receive intense or heavy rainfall.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Udhampur recorded 32 mm of rain in the 24 hours to Friday, followed by Jammu with 27.1 mm, Katra 7.8 mm and Kathua 6.8 mm.

Parts of Rajouri and Poonch also received heavy rain, causing temporary waterlogging, but officials reported no significant rise in river levels.

The weather department warned of the possibility of localised intense rainfall, flash floods, landslides and falling rocks in vulnerable hilly areas.

Police in Poonch issued a public advisory urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel in areas prone to landslides and road blockages and to remain alert to changing weather conditions.

Authorities said the region would remain under close watch as further rainfall was expected.