Srinagar, Aug 3: A woman died after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday while flash floods were also reported from parts of Anantnag and Shopian in south Kashmir.
The deceased identified as Naseema Begum wife of Mohammad Ayub and a resident of Warnow in Kupwara died after a sudden surge of water in Himli area of Lolab, police said.
Her body was recovered following a search operation.
Another person drowned in a water body in Singhpora area of Baramulla amid the heavy downpour. His body was recovered by the SDRF personnel.
The deceased was identified as Murtaza Bashir son of Bashir Ahmad Lone, a resident of Boniyar area of Baramulla district.
In south Kashmir, a cloudburst struck Batkoot area of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, triggering flash floods and causing panic among residents and tourists.
Flooding blocked the Aishmuqam-Pahalgam road at Langnai Bridge, while the bridge at Langnai, Batkoot was damaged by strong water currents, officials said.
In Shopian, cloudbursts in the upper reaches triggered flash floods in Zavora, Budherhama and Kijarsinda areas.
According to eyewitnesses, floodwaters entered homes within minutes, forcing many families to evacuate to safer places as water levels rose quickly.
A team from the local administration and emergency services reached Budherhama to take stock of the situation and coordinate relief work.
The SDRF officials said Zavora also witnessed severe waterlogging.
"SDRF personnel are already on ground in Zawoora carrying out rescue operations. Additional teams have been dispatched to Badrhama for assessment and assistance," an official said.
The SDRF rescue team evacuated around 80 people, including schoolchildren and staff, to safer locations, officials said.
No loss of life or property has been reported from Shopian so far and damage assessment is underway, they said.
Meanwhile, heavy rains caused damage at the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam, where a rear concrete brick wall collapsed, allowing water to enter the camp and damage tents.
No injuries were reported and the situation at the base camp is under control, officials said.
Authorities have deployed teams to monitor the affected areas and assess the damage. Residents and travellers have been advised to avoid vulnerable locations until the situation improves.
In Bandipora district, another cloudburst struck the Arin-Dardpora area, damaging roads at several locations and affecting vehicular movement.
Strong winds in Ganderbal district blew away the roof of a residential house and damaged an electricity pole, though no casualties were reported.
Flash floods also caused damage in Badgam and Hardass villages of Kargil district in Ladakh, where houses, village infrastructure and agricultural land were affected.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more spells of rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir during the coming days, warning of the possibility of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones in vulnerable areas.