J-K: Cloudburst hits Kishtwar, shops damaged; no loss of life reported
Kishtwar, August 1
A cloudburst hit the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district in the early hours of Saturday, damaging some commercial outlets and shops, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, adding that no loss of life has been reported so far.
In a post on X, Singh said he spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving reports of the cloudburst.
"Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma, after receiving the reports of cloudburst in the Chhatroo area early this morning. No loss of life reported. Some commercial outlets/shops are damaged for which due compensation will be provided," he said.
The Union Minister also said that steps had been taken to strengthen the early warning system in the region.
"To reassure the local residents, it is important to inform that after the experience of the last year's Chasoti cloudburst, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, has installed two latest 'Early Warning Systems' (EWS) in Kishtwar and Machhail respectively," Singh said.
"In addition, an 'Automatic Weather Station' (AWS) is also in the process of being installed in the Padder area," he added.
In a separate incident in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri on July 19, heavy rainfall and a subsequent cloudburst triggered massive landslides that severely damaged the Thannamandi-DKG-Bufliaz Road, a key Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project vital for connecting the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with the Kashmir Valley.
The downpour triggered flash floods that washed away several stretches of the newly constructed road, culverts, and heavy trees at multiple locations between Thannamandi and Bufliaz.
The road remains closed for traffic even after 13 days, with vehicles being diverted through the BG (Bimber Gali) route.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Every year we see these cloudbursts wreak havoc in hilly regions. While the EWS installation is welcome, the real issue is climate change - these events are becoming more frequent. Need to think long-term about sustainable development in fragile Himalayan ecosystems. Glad no lives lost this time.
The BRO road in Rajouri still closed after 13 days is a bigger concern! That's a strategic route connecting border areas. Such delays in restoring critical infrastructure are not acceptable. Hope authorities prioritize this - border security and local connectivity both depend on it.
Feel sad for the shopkeepers in Chatroo. These small businesses are the backbone of local economy in such remote areas. Hope the administration ensures proper assessment of damage and gives adequate compensation. Also, the early warning system is useless if people don't get timely alerts on their phones - need better dissemination.
As someone who follows climate patterns in South Asia, it's concerning to see the increasing frequency of these cloudburst events. The Indian government's investment in EWS is good, but regional cooperation and community-level preparedness are equally important. Prayers for the affected families.
Ghosh, this is sad! Every monsoon same story in J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal - cloudbursts and landslides. The government talks about compensation but what about prevention? Need better drainage systems, stronger buildings, and maybe restricting construction in vulnerable zones. At least this time no casualties - that's a relief. 🌧️
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