Jahangeer Ganaie
Anantnag, Sep 3: Continuous heavy downpour for the last two days has triggered flood-like situations in most parts of south Kashmir, inundating villages, damaging bridges, and leaving thousands of people stranded.
Standing crops, orchards, and residential structures have suffered extensive damage, while the administration has launched rescue and relief operations on a war footing.
In Pulwama district, the overflowing Romshi Nallah breached its banks, partially submerging Gundipora, Hassanwani, Uribagh, and Badibagh villages.
Residents said rainwater entered their homes, damaged stored food grains, and destroyed paddy fields and apple orchards, threatening their livelihood.
“We appeal to the administration to restore the original course of Romshi Nallah. Every time it swells during rains, our villages are cut off, and we face huge losses,” said Abdul Majid, a resident of Gundipora.
The situation worsened after the approach road of Chandrigam bridge in Awantipora area caved in, forcing its closure for vehicular movement. The R&B Department, Awantipora, has diverted traffic through the Chandrigam–Amlar–Bargam–Noorpora route until the bridge is repaired.
Meanwhile, the Kaihgam area of Awantipora witnessed massive waterlogging, with streets and houses submerged. “The drainage system has collapsed. We are virtually trapped inside our homes, unable to move out even for essentials,” said Rafiqa Begum, a resident.
In Anantnag district, the swelling Brengi Nallah has inundated several low-lying areas. The water entered important institutions, including the BDO office, Anantnag, Sout-ul-Awliya Darul Uloom, and Idhara Tehqiqat, many residential areas and offices, forcing closure of official and educational activities.
Farmers in the area fear large-scale devastation if the rains continue. “Paddy fields and orchards are under the water. If the water does not recede soon, the damage will be irreversible,” said Ghulam Hassan, a farmer from Pulwama.
Similar situations were witnessed in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, especially in Khudwani-Qaimoh, where water entered residential areas. Authorities said rescue teams, along with men and machinery, have been deployed at vulnerable points to strengthen embankments and restore connectivity.
At many places, including SIDCO Lassipora, the electricity line has suffered damage, due to which power supply has remained cut off to many areas, they said, adding that efforts are on to restore supply in the affected areas.
District officials confirmed that thousands of people have already been shifted to safer places in both Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag and even parts of Shopian.
The water level in most of the water bodies continues to rise, due to which there is fear among the people, while the administration is already on high alert.
