Many villages in Bhalesa area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district were isolated on Thursday due to flash floods caused by two cloudbursts. The floods damaged roads, particularly the Thathri-Kilhotran road, burying it under debris and halting traffic. Ambulance and emergency services faced challenges due to the road blockages, impacting relief efforts.
Flash floods washed away roads, disconnecting several villages in Bhalesa from the rest of Doda district. Link roads to remote areas were destroyed or severely damaged, hindering relief operations. In Bhatiyas area, floodwaters entered a government food storage depot, damaging stored food grains equivalent to two to three truckloads.
Despite extensive infrastructure damage and disruption of daily life, there have been no reported casualties. Residents criticized the delay in road clearance operations, causing prolonged difficulties for stranded individuals. Local volunteers and youth stepped in to assist stranded passengers and regulate traffic until restoration work began.
Local demands for drainage channels and flood protection measures in Bhalesa have remained unmet, leaving the area vulnerable to heavy rainfall. The Chenab River in the upper catchment areas rose significantly due to heavy rain, prompting a high alert from the district administration. Restoration teams are working to clear debris and reopen blocked roads, with ongoing monitoring for potential landslides and flash floods.
