Kargil: Flash floods triggered by incessant rainfall have caused widespread devastation across Kargil district, leaving a trail of destruction in dozens of villages by damaging agricultural land, residential houses, irrigation infrastructure, shops and public property.
Among the worst-affected areas are Budgam, Karkitchoo, Choskore, Silmo, Yokma Kharboo and Sangra, where floodwaters inundated agricultural fields, uprooted trees and washed away vital infrastructure, severely affecting the livelihoods of local residents.
Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon, told KNT that nearly 700 kanals of cultivated agricultural land with standing crops have been completely destroyed in the flash floods, resulting in huge losses to farmers across the district.
He said at least 15 residential houses sustained damage, while several shops were also affected by the floodwaters. According to Dr Akhoon, Sangra village witnessed some of the worst destruction, with floodwaters causing extensive damage to private property and agricultural fields.
More than a dozen livestock animals were swept away by the raging waters, dealing another severe blow to affected families whose livelihoods largely depend on farming and animal husbandry.
The flash floods also extensively damaged irrigation canals and water supply infrastructure in several villages, disrupting irrigation facilities for agricultural land. In Silmo, the local water supply scheme suffered major damage, while several vehicles were reportedly swept away after being caught in the floodwaters.
Dr Akhoon said dozens of villages have been affected by the disaster, with standing crops destroyed over vast areas at a time when farmers were expecting a productive harvesting season. He said the losses are enormous and called for immediate assistance to the affected families.
He urged the Union Territory administration to conduct an expeditious damage assessment and ensure adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the affected households, besides restoring damaged roads, irrigation networks and drinking water schemes on a priority basis.
Officials have begun assessing the extent of the losses, while restoration work has been initiated in several affected areas. The administration has also advised residents living near vulnerable streams and flood-prone locations to remain vigilant as the possibility of further rainfall continues.
The latest flash floods come amid an active wet spell across the region, which has triggered landslides, cloudbursts and flooding at several places in Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh over the past few days. [KNT]
