A cloudburst in the Nala Chotihall area of Chittergul in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday triggered flash floods that resulted in significant damage to agricultural land, orchards, and residential properties.
Emergency teams were promptly deployed by the district administration to assess the impact and implement relief and preventive actions.
Local residents reported widespread destruction with floodwaters entering homes and causing harm to paddy fields and apple orchards. They have urged the government to conduct a swift assessment and provide compensation.
Manzoor Ahmad Khan, a local resident, said, “I appeal to the government. Yesterday, a sudden natural calamity–heavy rain–occurred. This rain triggered a massive flood. As a result, all the farmers here, whether they have paddy fields or orchards… especially the farmers’ orchards and paddy crops, have been severely damaged.”
He added, “All these fields and orchards have been destroyed. We request the government to provide compensation for these trees and crops, whether they are apple trees or paddy fields. Compensation must be given for this immense loss.”
Khan described the chaos during the cloudburst: “Allah saved our lives with great difficulty. At that moment, our only concern was for ourselves and our children. Water entered our homes and even the mosque where we pray; it was surrounded by floodwater on all four sides. There is destruction everywhere.”
Another resident, Rayees Ahmad, stated that the cloudburst occurred around 7 pm and altered the course of a local stream, causing extensive damage to fields and houses. “The cloudburst occurred around 7 PM. When the water rushed down from the mountains, it diverted the stream in Chittergul Upper to the other side. This area consists of paddy fields and horticultural land, and the destruction has been severe,” he said.
Ahmad said several families evacuated their homes as floodwaters entered. “We had to evacuate immediately and move outside because we did not think we would survive. We request the district administration and the government to take firm action. Those who have suffered losses should be compensated immediately after a genuine assessment,” he added.
He also reported that floodwaters from Chatpal damaged the main road, impeding local movement. “The floodwaters have cut off the main road, affecting people’s movement. We hope the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag will assess the situation here in Chittergul, Chaklipora and Brimmer, particularly the damage to horticulture and agriculture,” Ahmad said.
Resident Ishfaq Ahmad Khan expressed the community’s distress and called for immediate government evaluation of losses. “The people here have shown great patience and tolerance. We have high hopes for the government. We request them to come here and conduct a physical verification to see the extent of the loss themselves,” he said.
He added, “Our orchards and agricultural lands have suffered immense damage. People have suffered a heavy loss; it is not a small matter. The local population consists of poor people who have been severely affected.”
Khan described the fearful reaction of residents during the night: “Everyone was terrified. By midnight, everyone was out on the roads. People abandoned their houses due to the state of fear and panic. They were either on the streets or gathered in mosques as water entered their homes.”
He further urged relevant departments to inspect the damage to orchards, livestock and agricultural fields, noting that the flood also damaged the road connecting the area.
The district administration continues to dispatch emergency teams to affected locations to evaluate the situation and implement preventive measures.
Source - https://thenewsmill.com
