Cloudburst Triggers Sudden Floods in North Kashmir’s Kupwara, Panic Grips Warnow Lolab

North Kashmir’s Kupwara district witnessed a cloudburst in the higher reaches of Warno forest in Lolab on Monday afternoon, triggering sudden floods and creating panic among locals. While no loss of life or property has been reported so far, officials have issued alerts and stepped up surveillance in vulnerable areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain for the next three days, prompting authorities to halt activities around Dal Lake and advise residents near rivers and streams to remain on high alert.

Rescue operations continue amid rains in Kishtwar

The search and rescue effort in district Kishtwar went on into the fifth day in spite of the persistently high rainfall and unfavourable weather. In Chishoti, more than 64 people have died so far in the sudden flood triggered by the cloudburst, while hundreds of people are still missing. Over 100 people were injured in this incident. Today marks the fifth day of the operation, and joint efforts are underway to recover the bodies of the missing people. The weather remains challenging due to rains. Rescue activities are being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), CISF, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), civil administration, and local volunteers.

Directorate of School Education issues advisory

The following standard operating procedures must be followed by all chief education officers and heads of institutions in order to protect students and staff in light of cloudburst situations, according to a notification issued by the Kashmir Directorate of School Education. It said that chief education officers, particularly of institutions located in areas vulnerable to natural disasters, must exercise extreme caution. Staff members must be actively made aware of and trained in safety protocols related to heavy rainfall, sudden floods, and cloudbursts.

Precautionary measures for schools near water bodies:

Schools located around water bodies, including rivers, streams, and lakes, must be kept on high alert. The concerned HOI must take all necessary precautions for the safety of the school community and infrastructure. This includes:

Monitoring: Putting in place a system to continuously check weather forecasts and water levels.

Evacuation Plans: Ensuring that a clear and well-prepared evacuation plan, including designated safe areas, is in place.

Communication: Maintaining open and constant communication with local authorities and disaster management agencies.

Accountability: Cooperation of all school staff is essential to ensure the safety of students in any adverse circumstance. Any failure in adhering to these instructions will be considered a serious lapse. The order states that any incident or damage resulting from failure to implement these safety measures will be the sole personal responsibility of the head of the concerned institution.