Rain fury continues: Flash floods ravage Thathri, block highway

Barely hours after flash floods wreaked havoc in Kishtwar district, another spell of intense rainfall triggered fresh flooding in Thathri area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday, damaging homes, shops and vehicles. Despite the widespread destruction, officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported.

The latest incident marks the third rain-induced flash flood to strike the Chenab Valley’s twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar in the last 48 hours. Torrents carrying mud, rocks and debris gushed down from the upper reaches into Thathri, affecting residential and commercial areas and disrupting road connectivity.

The Srinagar-Doda-Kishtwar route (NH-244) remained blocked after large boulders and debris accumulated on the highway. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with district officials, were pressed into service to clear the road and restore traffic.

Several parked vehicles were buried under the debris, while local residents claimed that a few vehicles were washed away into the Chenab river. Authorities said a detailed assessment of the losses would be carried out after restoration work is completed.

Taking stock of the situation, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha spoke to Deputy Commissioner Doda and instructed the district administration to ensure immediate relief for affected families besides speeding up restoration work, including reopening of NH-244. He said it was a matter of relief that the disaster had not claimed any lives.

Tuesday’s incident came a day after heavy rain triggered another flash flood near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project, damaging portions of the Doda-Kishtwar highway and disrupting traffic.

With the region witnessing repeated weather-related incidents, the district administration has also tightened safety measures in the adjoining Bhaderwah sub-division.

Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Bhaderwah, Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, has prohibited trekking, hiking, camping and all other adventure activities under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, citing the heightened risk posed by heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods and unstable terrain.

The order makes prior written permission from the ADM’s office mandatory for organising or undertaking any adventure activity within Bhaderwah sub-division. However, traditional migratory communities, including Gujjar-Bakarwals and Gaddies, have been exempted from the ban, though their movement will continue to be regulated by the competent authorities.

The Police, Army, Bhaderwah Development Authority, Forest Department and Executive Magistrates have been directed to strictly enforce the restrictions. The administration has warned that anyone violating the order will face legal action under the provisions of the BNSS, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable laws.