Kishtwar Cloudburst Triggers Flash Floods, School Closures in J&K

A cloudburst struck the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district in Jammu & Kashmir early on August 1, releasing a sudden surge of water that flooded the local market, damaged several shops and homes, swept away vehicles and rendered the Kishtwar‑Chatroo‑Sinthan National Highway impassable. Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that no casualties were reported and said compensation would be provided to affected shopkeepers. Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma oversaw rescue and clearing operations, deploying excavators and JCBs to restore access.

Heavy rain continued across the Chenab Valley, prompting authorities to close all government and private schools in Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts and shift to online classes. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has installed two Early Warning Systems in Kishtwar and Machhail and is installing an Automatic Weather Station in the Padder area to improve future disaster preparedness. Forecasts indicate further intermittent rain in Jammu and Kashmir through early August, with risk of flash floods and landslides in vulnerable hilly zones.