Anantnag, July 12: A cloudburst in the Nala Chotihall area of Chittergul in south Kashmir's Anantnag district has triggered flash floods, causing extensive damage to agricultural land, orchards and residential areas.

Residents said the sudden flood caused widespread destruction, with water entering homes, damaging paddy fields and affecting apple orchards. They have appealed to the government for immediate assessment and compensation.
Local resident Manzoor Ahmad Khan said the cloudburst caused severe damage to farmers' livelihoods.
"I appeal to the government. Yesterday, a sudden natural calamity--heavy rain--occurred. This rain triggered a massive flood. As a result, all the farmers here, whether they have paddy fields or orchards... especially the farmers' orchards and paddy crops, have been severely damaged," Khan said.
"All these fields and orchards have been destroyed. We request the government to provide compensation for these trees and crops, whether they are apple trees or paddy fields. Compensation must be given for this immense loss," he said.
Khan said residents were forced to leave their homes due to the rising water levels after clouburst.
"Allah saved our lives. Water entered our homes and even the mosque where we pray; it was surrounded by floodwater on all four sides. There is destruction everywhere," he said.
Another resident, Rayees Ahmad, said the cloudburst occurred around 7 pm yesterday and the floodwaters diverted a local stream, causing damage to fields and houses.
"The cloudburst occurred around 7 PM. When the water rushed down from the mountains, it diverted the stream in Chittergul Upper to the other side. This area consists of paddy fields and horticultural land, and the destruction has been severe," Ahmad said.
He said several families had to evacuate as water entered their houses. "We had to evacuate immediately and move outside to save our lives.”
Ahmad said floodwaters from Chatpal damaged the main road, affecting movement in the area.
"The floodwaters have cut off the main road, affecting people's movement. We hope the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag will asks revenue teams to assess the damages in Chittergul, Chaklipora and Brimmer, particularly the damage to horticulture and agriculture," he added.
Another resident Ishfaq Ahmad Khan said people were left terrified after the incident and sought an immediate government assessment of the losses.
"Our orchards and agricultural lands have suffered immense damage. People have suffered heavy losses,” he said and urged the government to compensate the flood-hit affected population.