Srinagar, July 21: A man lost his life while dozens of shops and public infrastructure suffered extensive damage after flash floods triggered by intense rainfall wreaked havoc in the Beerwah and Khag areas of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday.
Officials told news agency JKNS that, the deceased has been identified as Shabir Ahmad Poswal, a resident of Drang, Khag, who drowned after being swept away by a flooded nallah in the Drang area.
Details available with JKNS stated that, the local monitoring station at Beerwah recorded 38 mm of rainfall, while rainfall in the upper catchment, particularly the Tosa Maidan area, is estimated to have exceeded 100 mm.
Meteorological observations indicate that an intense and persistent spell of rainfall developed over the Tosa Maidan catchment, the origin of the Sukhnag River during the late afternoon. The heavy downpour generated massive runoff, causing the Sukhnag to swell rapidly and trigger flash floods downstream.
The Sukhnag River flows through Arizal, Zanigam, Sail, Beerwah, Rathsun, Makhama, Kawoosa and Narbal, making these areas vulnerable to sudden surges in water levels following intense rainfall in the upper reaches.
Beerwah witnessed the worst impact, with floodwaters inundating several localities. The Municipal Shopping Complex at Beerwah bus stand was damaged, while dozens of shops were swept away or severely affected. Shopkeepers were seen struggling to rescue their goods as floodwaters entered commercial establishments.
Officials and locals also reported extensive damage to embankments. The Sukhnag Diversion at Beerwah was washed away, and the newly constructed bridge sustained infrastructure damage due to the force of the floodwaters.
Although the water level later receded by around three feet, the sudden and exceptionally sharp rise in the Sukhnag suggests a possible cloudburst or highly localized intense rainfall over the upper catchment.
The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of downstream areas to flash floods caused by intense rainfall in river catchments, even when rainfall at lower elevations remains comparatively lower.
Authorities are assessing the damage, while locals have urged immediate restoration and flood protection measures. (JKNS)
