Cloudburst Hits Kishtwar’s Chatroo, Damages Houses and Infrastructure; No Casualties Reported

JAMMU, Aug 1: A cloudburst struck the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district in the early hours of Saturday, triggering a flash surge of water and debris that damaged several houses and other structures. No loss of life or injuries have been reported. According to officials, the cloudburst occurred around 2:30 a.m. following intense rainfall, causing panic among local residents. Multiple residential buildings and other structures sustained damage, while authorities immediately launched assessment and relief operations. Soon after the incident, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chatroo, along with police personnel and officials from the civil administration, reached the affected area to assess the situation. Restoration work and relief measures are currently underway, while the extent of the damage is being evaluated. The incident comes amid persistent moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir. The Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning for intense showers across the Jammu division, cautioning against the possibility of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and waterlogging in vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall also caused waterlogging in the Pahlipora area of Shopian district in south Kashmir, where rainwater entered several houses. Police and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed to assist affected residents and carry out rescue and relief operations. Authorities have advised people living in low-lying and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant and avoid venturing near streams, nallahs and unstable slopes until weather conditions improve.