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Srinagar: At least two people died, while hundreds, including tourists, were left stranded after multiple cloudbursts and intense rainfall triggered devastating flash floods across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure. The extreme weather disrupted normal life across several districts, prompting authorities to issue fresh warnings as more rain is expected in the coming days.
The worst-affected areas include Pahalgam in Anantnag district, Shopian, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Gurez, Kishtwar and parts of Baramulla. Overflowing rivers, streams and nallahs inundated residential areas, washed away village roads, damaged irrigation networks and triggered widespread panic among local residents and visitors.
The deceased included 52-year-old Naseema Begum, who was swept away in floodwaters caused by a cloudburst in the Himli area of Lolab in Kupwara district while attempting to cross a culvert over a swollen stream. Rescue teams later recovered her body downstream near Shahabad. In a separate weather-related incident, another person reportedly drowned in Baramulla district during the severe rainfall, taking the death toll to two.
Authorities said cloudbursts struck the Batkoot area of Pahalgam, Herpora and upper reaches of Shopian, Arin Dardpora in Bandipora, Lolab in Kupwara and Kishtwar district, while intense localised rainfall also triggered flash floods in Gurez and Haripora in Kangan. The sudden surge of water carried mud, rocks and debris into villages, damaging houses, bridges, roads, irrigation canals, orchards and standing crops.
In Pahalgam, rapidly rising water levels in the Wardbal Nallah, Overa Nallah and other tributaries caused the Lidder River to swell dangerously after an intense cloudburst in the Batkoot-Overa catchment area. The powerful water current damaged the Langnai-Batkoot bridge and blocked the Aishmuqam-Pahalgam road, disrupting road connectivity and affecting movement of residents and tourists.
Heavy rainfall also caused the collapse of a retaining wall at the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam. Floodwater entered the camp and damaged several accommodation tents. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and the situation was later brought under control.
Shopian emerged as one of the worst-hit districts after flash floods entered houses in Badrhama, Zawoora and nearby villages. Agricultural fields were submerged, household belongings were damaged and road connectivity was severely affected. The State Disaster Response Force evacuated around 80 people, including schoolchildren and school staff, to safer locations. Officials stated that no fatalities were reported from Shopian, although damage assessment is still underway.
In Bandipora district, cloudbursts in Arin Dardpora washed away roads, flooded agricultural fields and inundated several houses. In Kupwara, besides the loss of life, a mosque and a pedestrian bridge were damaged due to the force of floodwaters. Strong winds accompanying the rainstorm also caused damage in Ganderbal district, where the roof of a residential house was blown away and an electricity pole collapsed. No casualties were reported from the incident.
The continuous rainfall has caused widespread losses to agriculture, with paddy fields, maize crops, orchards and vegetable farms suffering significant damage. Farmers have reported severe destruction of standing crops as floodwater, mud and debris covered agricultural land across several districts.
The heavy inflow of rainwater has also led to a noticeable rise in the water level of Wular Lake, prompting authorities to increase surveillance and continuously monitor the hydrological situation. Officials have advised people living near rivers, streams, lakes and flood-prone areas to remain alert due to the possibility of sudden water level increases.
The weather also affected essential public services. The Jal Shakti Department said that drinking water supply to Anantnag town and adjoining areas has been disrupted after floodwater made the raw water in the Lidder Nallah excessively turbid, preventing treatment at the Bumzoo filtration plant. Water supply has been affected in Anantnag town, Uranhal, Batengoo, Khandipora, T.B. Shah, Donipawa, Mattan and surrounding areas until further notice.
Heavy rainfall also forced the suspension of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) after a stretch near Samroli in Udhampur became extremely muddy and unsafe for vehicles. The National Highways Authority of India deployed machinery and engineering teams to restore traffic movement, while hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the highway. Traffic police advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel until the highway is declared safe.
In Rajouri district, heavy rainfall triggered mudslides and flooding, prompting the district administration to issue a flood advisory for vulnerable areas. Residents living near rivers, flood channels and low-lying localities have been advised to shift elderly people, children, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and essential belongings to safer locations as a precautionary measure. Emergency control rooms have been placed on high alert to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intermittent rainfall, thunderstorms and isolated heavy showers across Jammu and Kashmir until August 7. Weather experts warned that short-duration but high-intensity rainfall may trigger additional cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and rockfalls, particularly in vulnerable mountainous areas of both Kashmir and the Jammu division.
District administrations, the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, police, civil defence authorities, road maintenance agencies and other emergency response teams continue restoration, rescue, evacuation and damage assessment operations across the affected districts. Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and nallahs, follow official weather advisories, and cooperate with emergency agencies until the situation returns to normal.
The latest incidents add to a series of weather-related disasters that have repeatedly affected Jammu and Kashmir during this year's monsoon season, highlighting the growing threat of extreme weather events, flash floods and climate-related disasters across the Himalayan region.
