Doda: Heavy overnight monsoon rainfall triggered flash floods and mudslides in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in Thathri town where dozens of houses, shops and vehicles were damaged or buried under mud and debris. The deluge also forced the closure of the strategic Doda-Kishtwar highway at multiple locations.
Thathri emerged as the worst-hit area after floodwaters carrying boulders, silt and debris surged through residential and commercial localities, inundating properties and causing extensive damage. Several houses and shops were either buried under debris or suffered partial structural damage, while multiple vehicles, including cars and two-wheelers, were swept away or trapped under mud.
Public infrastructure also took a hit, with power supply lines and water pipelines reportedly damaged in the affected areas, disrupting essential services.
No loss of life has been reported so far. District authorities said relief and rescue teams were immediately deployed, while a detailed assessment of the damage is underway. Temporary shelters have also been arranged for families affected by the floods.
The incessant rainfall also triggered mudslides and flash floods in the Prem Nagar area, leading to the closure of the highway, the vital road link connecting Doda and Kishtwar districts. Landslides and accumulated debris blocked the highway at several locations, leaving hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying essential supplies, stranded.
Road restoration agencies, including the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), have launched clearance operations by deploying men and machinery. However, officials said continuous rainfall, slush and unstable slopes are slowing restoration work. Commuters have been advised to avoid the highway until traffic is restored.
The heavy rain also affected several parts of the Chenab Valley, where overflowing streams, landslides and shooting stones disrupted normal life and heightened the risk of further incidents.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rainfall over the next 24 hours. The administration has urged residents, particularly those living near nallahs, riverbanks and landslide-prone areas, to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories.
