Kishtwar flash flood damages shops, closes schools

A cloudburst triggered flash floods in the Chatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district early Saturday, August 1, inundating the main market, damaging property, and blocking a key national highway. Officials confirmed that no loss of life occurred in the incident.

The sudden deluge, which reportedly began around 2:30 a.m., sent boulders, mud, and slush into the Chatroo market. At least two vehicles parked near a local stream were swept away, and several shops and houses were flooded. Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma stated that two adjoining shops and two houses sustained partial damage. The flash floods also rendered the Kishtwar-Chatroo-Sinthan National Highway impassable.

Authorities responded swiftly, deploying machinery including excavators and JCBs to clear the debris. Sharma confirmed that clearing operations were underway and that the highway had been reopened for light motor vehicles by Saturday.

In response to persistent rainfall across the wider Chenab Valley region, officials ordered the closure of all government and private schools in Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts for the day. Schools were instructed to transition to online classes due to heavy...