J-K: Massive damage to power infrastructure in Rajouri in flash floods; restoration work underway
Rajouri, July 24
Recent flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district caused major damage to the local power infrastructure, washing away 15 transformers and damaging roughly 200 others, causing widespread disruption to electricity supply across the district, Power Development Department authorities stated.
Rajouri Power Development Department (PDD) Executive Engineer, Javed Akhtar, stated that power restoration work is currently underway on a war footing. Electricity has already been restored in several affected areas, while restoration work continues in the remaining locations.
Senior PDD officers, engineers, field staff, and labourers are working together around the clock to restore the damaged network. Due to the scale of destruction, additional manpower was deployed, and local residents are also assisting the department in the restoration efforts.
The operation remains challenging as several electric poles were either washed away or severely damaged by the floods. Despite these difficulties, the PDD continues its large-scale restoration drive to restore power to all affected areas as quickly as possible.
Earlier this week, continuous rainfall in Reasi and upper catchment areas triggered a surge in water inflow into the Salal reservoir, prompting authorities to open all gates of the dam to regulate the rising water level.
The increased inflow and release of water from the dam have caused the Chenab River to swell, with strong currents and elevated water levels being witnessed downstream.
Heavy rainfall lashed the Reasi region for several hours, leading to a significant rise in water inflow into the Chenab River and Salal Dam reservoir. Authorities closely monitored weather conditions and the river's water level.
People, particularly those living in low-lying areas and along the banks of the Chenab, have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid venturing close to the river.
Since Tuesday morning, the district administration and Rajouri Police issued advisories urging residents to remain alert amid fears of rising river water levels, flash floods, landslides and waterlogging.
People have been asked to remain indoors unless travel is essential and cooperate with the administration. In case of an emergency, residents have been advised to immediately contact the local administration or emergency services.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The scale of destruction is heartbreaking. 15 transformers completely lost—that’s going to set back months of development work. I hope the administration is also looking at long-term solutions like better drainage and flood barriers, not just quick fixes. The Chenab river rising adds more fear for those downstream.
Javed Akhtar sir ne jo war footing pe kaam chal raha hai bola hai, uski tasalli hai. But ground reality kuch aur hi dikhti hai - bijli nahi hai, pani bhi problem ho sakta hai. Salal dam ke gates kholne ke baad Chenab mein flood ka khatra aur badh gaya hai. Public ko alert rehna chahiye, lekin administration ko bhi heavy rainfall ke mausam mein pehle se planning karni chahiye.
This is a harsh reminder of how climate change is impacting our vulnerable regions. The flash floods in Rajouri, the dam releases—it’s all connected. I just hope the restoration teams stay safe while working around damaged poles in such terrain. Also, why wasn’t there a better early warning system for these flash floods? The advisory came late.
Local logon ki involvement bahut achhi baat hai article mein. Lekin administration ko ek long-term plan chahiye - transformers ko higher ground pe lagaayein, underground wiring ka sochein. Reasi mein bhi heavy rain hua, toh do jagah ek saath disaster ho gaya. Chenab kinare rehne wale logon ke liye dar ki baat hai - God bless them 🙏
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