In Jammu and Kashmir, a tragic toll unfolded as landslides and flash floods claimed the lives of five individuals, leaving many others injured. The calamity wreaked havoc on numerous homes, impacting hundreds of residents across the region.The onslaught of heavy rainfall and ensuing landslides struck several hilly districts, including Doda, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Baramulla. The crucial Srinagar-Jammu national highway faced closures over the past three days due to multiple landslides that rendered sections of the road impassable.Amid this crisis, some relief emerged in Kupwara, where water levels began to subside, allowing residents to return to their flood-damaged residences. Images captured from the previous day depicted a grim scene of roads washed away by flash floods and houses submerged in knee-deep water. A segment of a house, situated by the river, succumbed to the force of the floodwaters. Authorities sounded a danger alert for Pohru Nallah in Kupwara, underscoring the ongoing risks.#WATCH | Roads and buildings damaged in flash floods in J&Ks Kupwara due to sudden heavy rains in the area pic.twitter.com/wRjcXQoa1Y— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2024Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Aziz Ahmad, Additional District Magistrate of Handwara, emphasised the paramount importance of swift evacuations in saving lives during these flood-ravaged episodes. We are assessing losses. Our priority was to save lives, he stated.The devastating floods inflicted significant damage on critical infrastructure within the Kupwara district, including bridges like Shumriyal Bridge, Khumryal Bridge, Shatmuqam Bridge, Sohipora-Hayhama Bridge, Farkyan Bridge, and buildings such as the rural development department buildings at Kupwara and the assistant director Handicrafts office building. The Shumryal-Gundajhanger road faced severe disruptions due to scouring and breaches in the Doban Kachama dam.We have lost everything in floods we need food and clothes, voiced distressed locals grappling with the aftermath of the calamity. Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Jammu highway remains a work-in-progress, with authorities advising against travel until restoration efforts are concluded. This highway serves as the lifeline connecting the valley with the rest of the country, and the current closures have left hundreds of vehicles stranded along its route.Given the persistent heavy rainfall over the past three days, educational institutions in Kashmir, including schools, colleges, and the University of Kashmir, took precautionary measures by suspending classes and postponing scheduled examinations for today.
