Flash flood damages vehicles in Kwar power project, Kishtwar highway shut due to landslides

A cloudburst-triggered flash flood on Monday gushed into the upcoming Kwar hydroelectric project area in the Kishtwar district causing extensive damage.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the power project has escaped any damage.

The flash flood occurred after intense rain that caused surge of water, slush and rocks burying vehicles and machinery under the debris.

Flash floods triggered by incessant overnight rainfall damaged the Doda-Kishtwar highway on Monday, disrupted vehicular traffic and buried several vehicles near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project in the hilly districts of Doda and Kishtwar.

The Batote-Kishtwar highway has been closed for traffic due to damage to the road.

Huge quantities of mud, boulders and debris was deposited on the highway in Kishtwar following the flash floods.

Officials said that a portion of the highway was damaged, forcing the suspension of traffic. Several vehicles parked along the roadside at Prem Nagar were trapped in the flood debris. However, no loss of life or injuries were reported, they said.

Road clearance and restoration work has been launched by authorities, while commuters have been advised to avoid the highway and follow official traffic advisories until the route is reopened.

Flash flood incidents were also reported from high-altitude areas of Reasi district, officials said.

The administration had earlier issued a weather advisory warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas of Jammu and Kashmir, urging people, particularly those living near riverbanks and nallahs, to remain alert and avoid unsafe locations.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh was in touch with the J&K administration. He wrote on X “ Just now spoke to Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar after receiving the news from Kishtwar about the flash flood waters gushing into the premises of under construction 540 mw Kwar project”.

“Luckily there is no loss of life or property. Some of the project machinery has also been removed without any damage”.

“Overall, every component of the under construction project remains intact without any damage whatsoever”, he added.