The Chenab Valley region in Jammu and Kashmir faced severe consequences today as heavy rainfall lashed the area, leading to landslides, rising river levels, and widespread flooding. The situation remains critical, with several areas reporting damage to infrastructure and unfortunate loss of lives.
Residents residing near the Chenab river in Thathri town, located in Doda district, and Paninalla hamlet in Kishtwar district are on high alert as the river’s water level has exceeded the danger mark, as reported by The Chenab Times on official Facebook page and YouTube channel. In Thathri town, the Chenab river level continues to remain above the normal level, posing a threat to the nearby population.
In Kishtwar district, the forceful debris and water flow of the Chenab river caused significant damage to the tunnels of the Rattle Project in Drabhsalla. The intensity of the floods overwhelmed the infrastructure, impacting the ongoing project and raising concerns about its future operations.
Tragically, in the Gandoh Bhalessa area of Doda district, two individuals lost their lives, and one sustained injuries in the Shalala area due to a landslide caused by the heavy rainfall. The deceased have been identified as Mudessar Ahmed, son of Nisar Ah Qazi, from Neeli village in Gandoh tehsil, and Amir, son of Ab Qayoom from Kahara village. Despite the valiant rescue efforts, both victims succumbed to their injuries while undergoing medical treatment at a nearby hospital. The incident has left the local population in shock and grief.
Further exacerbating the situation, floods were reported in the Paddar area of Kishtwar district, compounding the challenges faced by the authorities in dealing with the aftermath of the heavy rainfall. The Kalnai River, a tributary of the Chenab, is flowing dangerously, posing a threat to nearby population. Numerous houses in the Bhalessa area of Doda district have also been damaged as a result of the flooding.
The Batote-Kishtwar National Highway (NH244) has been severely affected, with several sections of the road remaining blocked due to landslides and the overflowing Chenab river. The closure of the highway has disrupted transportation and connectivity in the region, causing inconvenience to commuters and hampering relief and rescue operations.
In Kishtwar, the authorities were compelled to open the gates of the 390MW Dul Hasti Dam to release water amid mounting pressure from the floods. This measure was taken to mitigate the risk of dam failure and to manage the increased water flow downstream.
The situation in the Chenab Valley remains challenging as the adverse weather conditions persist. The local administration, along with the disaster response teams, is working tirelessly to assess the damage, provide relief to affected residents, and restore essential services. The residents are urged to exercise caution, follow safety instructions, and cooperate with the authorities during this trying time.
Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times