Jammu, July 2 (IANS) Many villages were cut off on Thursday after two cloudbursts caused flash floods in Bhalesa area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district.

Officials said many roads were damaged in Bhalesa area of Doda district by flash floods triggered by two cloudbursts in the area.

Officials said flash floods have washed away roads resulting in many villages getting cut off from other parts of the district.

Two cloudbursts struck the Khal Jugasar belt of Bhalesa. The cloudbursts released tonnes of water causing flash floods in the area. The worst-hit stretch remained the Thathri-Kilhotran road, where huge quantities of debris buried the road, bringing traffic to a complete halt and leaving commuters stranded on both sides for several hours.

With no alternative route available, concerns mounted over the movement of ambulances and emergency services in case of medical emergencies.

Several link roads connecting remote villages were either washed away or severely damaged, cutting off large pockets of the Bhalesa region from the rest of Doda district and complicating relief and restoration efforts.

Significant damage was also reported from the Bhatiyas area, where floodwaters entered a government food storage depot, destroying food grains stored inside.

Local residents estimated that stocks equivalent to two to three truckloads were damaged after remaining submerged under floodwater and debris.

Luckily even after the widespread destruction to infrastructure and disruption of normal life, no loss of life has been reporter so far. Locals alleged that road clearance operations did not commence for several hours, prolonging the hardship of stranded travellers and local inhabitants.

Local youth, transporters and volunteers came forward to help stranded passengers, regulate traffic and assist people trapped by the blocked road until restoration work eventually began.

Residents said repeated demands for proper drainage channels and flood protection measures had gone unaddressed, making the area increasingly vulnerable during every spell of heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, heavy rain in the upper catchment areas of the Chenab River has caused the river to swell to nearly one metre above the danger mark, prompting the district administration to issue a high alert and advise people living along the riverbanks to stay away from the river and avoid unnecessary movement in vulnerable areas.

Officials said restoration teams have been deployed to clear debris and reopen blocked roads, while the administration continues to monitor the weather as fresh spells of rain could trigger additional landslides and flash floods.

–IANS

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