Heavy Rain Triggers Fresh Flash Floods, Disrupts Life in J&K's Doda
Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall swept through Thathri town in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Tuesday, damaging houses, shops and vehicles while disrupting road connectivity. Authorities confirmed that no casualties have been reported, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The latest incident marks the third flash flood to strike the Doda-Kishtwar region within two days, underscoring the impact of relentless monsoon showers across the mountainous districts.
Officials said intense rainfall in the upper reaches sent mud, boulders and debris cascading into Thathri, partially damaging several residential and commercial structures. Multiple vehicles parked along roads were buried under debris, while local residents claimed that some vehicles were swept into the Chenab River . Officials are verifying these reports before releasing an official damage estimate.
The Doda-Kishtwar highway was blocked after mudslides covered sections of the road, halting vehicular movement and affecting commuters. Teams from the district administration , police and other agencies immediately launched clearance operations to restore connectivity and assess the affected areas.
The flooding comes just a day after heavy rain damaged portions of the same highway near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project , highlighting the region's continued vulnerability to weather-related disruptions.
Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal said the administration acted swiftly to clear roads in Prem Nagar, Thathri , as well as affected stretches in Chiralla tehsil and the Bagna link road , allowing traffic to resume.
He urged residents not to panic or circulate unverified information, stressing that the incidents resulted from heavy rainfall rather than cloudbursts .
According to the deputy commissioner, such weather events are common in hilly terrain during intense rain, often causing mudslides and rockfalls. He advised people to rely only on updates issued by the District Control Room or the district administration and avoid spreading rumours as authorities continue monitoring the weather situation and responding to emergencies across the district.
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