Cloudburst on Pahalgam road in Kashmir, tourists moved to safety
Srinagar, July 12
A cloudburst has damaged the Bijbehara-Pahalgam road in Kashmir, officials said on Sunday, adding that all residents and tourists are safe, with no casualties or injuries reported.
The officials said the cloudburst, which occurred late Saturday evening, caused significant damage to the Pahalgam-Avoora-Bijbehara road, disrupting vehicular movement and affecting essential public services in the area.
The incident triggered concern among residents and visitors as parts of the road were washed away, making the route unsafe for traffic.
The cloudburst also disrupted electricity and drinking water supply in the affected areas. Authorities acted promptly by shifting tourists to safer locations as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.
No loss of life or injuries were reported. Officials have begun assessing the extent of the damage, while restoration work is expected to commence once the weather improves.
The disruption has affected connectivity to several villages and tourist destinations, posing challenges for both commuters and the tourism sector during the ongoing peak travel season.
Residents have urged the district administration and concerned departments to launch immediate repair and restoration work. They appealed for the early restoration of the damaged road, electricity network, and water supply infrastructure to reduce hardship for local communities and stranded travellers.
The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of hilly areas to extreme weather events during the monsoon season. Locals stressed the need for long-term measures, including strengthening road infrastructure and improving disaster preparedness, to minimise the impact of such natural calamities in the future.
Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel in the affected area and follow official advisories until normal connectivity and essential services are fully restored.
Experts attribute the damage caused by cloudbursts in hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir to massive deforestation, encroachment on forest lands, choking natural drainage routes of water discharged from cloudbursts and the unmindful dumping of waste by people trekking and visiting highland areas during the summer months.
"Ecology and environment have taken the worst beating due to the callousness and extreme selfishness of humankind in the so-called modern times, and now nature is paying us back in the same coin. It is a tot for tat situation", said Dr Mansha Nisar, an environmental scientist here.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Scary incident. Good to hear everyone is safe. Kashmir is beautiful, but the infrastructure there seems fragile. Climate change is real, folks.
The officials acted quickly, but the real issue is long-term planning. We need better roads and early warning systems in hilly areas. Why do we always wait for a disaster to act? Also, massive respect to the tourists who cooperated during the evacuation. ❤️
Nature is reminding us of our mistakes. The scientist's comment is spot on. As tourists, we must also be responsible—no littering, no damaging forests. Let's enjoy without destroying.
This is a wake-up call for the administration. The road connectivity to Pahalgam is vital for tourism and locals. They should have disaster-proof infrastructure. Also, kudos to the rescue teams for quick action. But will the repair be done before the peak season ends? That's the question.
I was there last year. The road is already narrow and winding. A cloudburst can be deadly. Thank God no one was hurt. But we need to think about sustainable tourism and environmental protection. Every summer, we see the same issues. 😔
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