*12 tourists rescued after boats capsize in Dal Lake
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, July 7: A deadly cloudburst in Jammu’s Poonch district and torrential rains lashing several parts of Kashmir triggered chaos and destruction across the region today. While the Valley witnessed a sudden end to an intense heatwave with record-breaking rainfall, gusty winds, and capsized boats in Dal Lake, the Pir Panjal belt bore the brunt of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides. The combined fury of the cloudburst and stormy downpour exposed fragile infrastructure, paralyzed movement, and caused significant losses—prompting urgent rescue and relief efforts.
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In Poonch, the cloudburst struck near Batalkote village during heavy rainfall, leading to a massive mudslide that severely damaged the Loran-Belabala road. The deceased was identified as 68-year-old Ghulam Mohd, son of Samda, a resident of Batalkote Panchayat. Official sources said that the sudden cloudburst triggered a torrent of water and debris, washing away timber logs and cutting off the road link for more than two hours. Ghulam Mohd, who had been working in the area, went missing in the chaos and was later found dead near a riverbank, believed to have been swept away by the mudslide.
Authorities, including Naib Tehsildar Kamal Varma and Station House Officer Sub Inspector Navid Anjum, rushed to the spot to supervise rescue operations. A JCB machine was deployed to clear the road, which had been littered with fallen timber and mud. After legal formalities were completed, the body was handed over to the family for last rites.
In Rajouri town, heavy rainfall led to the inundation of key roads, causing significant losses to shopkeepers as floodwaters entered shops and business establishments. In Darhal, the downpour triggered landslides that damaged several acres of land. A multi-storey house is also reportedly at risk of collapse due to the shifting terrain.
Kashmir on the other hand got a major relief from intense heat wave conditions as parts of the Valley including Srinagar were lashed by heavy rainfall this evening with Weatherman forecasting more rain and thunderstorms over the next 24 hours across the region.
There was relief from the intense heat wave conditions to people in Kashmir after heavy rains lashed parts of the Valley including Srinagar. The maximum temperature plummeted from 34.3 degrees Celsius at 3:30 pm to 20 degrees Celsius by 8.00 pm.
The heavy rainfall lashed Srinagar after strong gusty winds, leading to the uprooting of trees at multiple places. It disrupted normal life across Srinagar in the evening, with several areas experiencing waterlogging, traffic jams, and falling trees amid the strong winds.
At least 12 tourists were rescued from Dal lake after a few boats capsized in the lake this evening.
An official said that the incident occurred near the Nehru Park area of the lake where tourist boats were caught in turbulent weather conditions. The strong winds and heavy showers caused several boats to overturn.
“Responding swiftly, rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Quick Reaction Team (QRT) Nehru Park launched an immediate rescue operation. All 12 tourists who were on board the capsized boats were successfully rescued without any injuries,” officials said.
Authorities have advised boat operators to remain cautious and avoid ferrying passengers during adverse weather conditions.
The rainfall started at around 5 pm in Srinagar, flooding many parts of the city, including SMHS Road, Khankah-e-Moula, Rainawari, Gasiar Chowk, Eidgah, Nawab Bazar, Polo View, Lal Chowk and surrounding localities.
Residents from these areas said that the brief but intense rainfall turned the city into a network of pools, with water seeping into homes and businesses, creating flood-like conditions. The drainage system failed at many places in the city.
A tree fell between Batwara and Pandrethan in the evening, damaging an e-rickshaw and causing a massive traffic jam on both sides of the road. The situation was later managed by visiting officials who cleared the debris. A tree was also uprooted in Khanyar near the Aastaan-e-Aliya due to gale.
Another incident involved a fallen tree on the railway track near Budgam Railway Station, temporarily disrupting train services which was later restored. Massive winds and rain also struck Eidgah in Srinagar, causing water to enter the area.
On Saturday, Srinagar recorded the hottest July temperature at 37.4 degrees, which was the highest maximum temperature in the last 72 years. Some other stations across the Valley also surpassed the previous records.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that till July 8, the weather would be generally cloudy, with the possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places, while a few places may receive intense showers with heavy rain at isolated spots in Jammu division.
The MeT has also issued an advisory, stating that flash floods at a few vulnerable places, along with landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones, are expected during July 6-8.
“A rise in water levels in rivers, streams, local nallas, and waterlogging in some low-lying areas is also expected,” the advisory added.
The MeT tonight in its forecast said that a spell of light to moderate rain/thunder with intense showers at many places of South Kashmir and few parts of Srinagar and Ganderbal district during next 2-3 hrs.
“Few places may recieve intense showers/heavy downpour and may generate flash floods/landslides/mudslides/shooting stones. Few places may experience strong gusty winds (40-50KMPH),” it said.
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