Srinagar, July 21 (NVI): Heavy rainfall over the upper catchment of the Sukhnag River in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday triggered a sudden surge in the river’s water level, leading to flash flooding in several downstream areas, with Beerwah being the worst affected, officials and locals said.
According to officials, an intense spell of rain lashed the Tosa Maidan area, the origin and upper catchment of the Sukhnag River, during the late afternoon. The heavy rainfall generated a large volume of runoff, causing the river to swell rapidly as it flowed through Arizal, Zanigam, Sail, Beerwah, Rathsun, Makhama, Kawoosa and Narbal.
The overflowing river inundated several low-lying areas in Beerwah, damaging roads, residential properties and other infrastructure, officials said.
Locals said the flooding in parts of Beerwah was severe, with some describing the situation as worse than the devastating floods of 2014. However, there was no official confirmation of the comparison.
Officials said the incident underlined the vulnerability of downstream areas to flash floods caused by intense rainfall over upper catchments, even when weather conditions remain relatively normal in lower reaches.
The administration is assessing the damage, while teams have been deployed to monitor the situation and assist affected residents. There were no immediate reports of any loss of life.(NVI)
