Cloudburst in Kashmir's Ganderbal Shuts Srinagar-Leh Highway, Causes Widespread Damage

Cloudburst in Kashmir's Ganderbal district leads to closure of Srinagar-Leh highway, causing damage to paddy fields and trapping vehicles in debris.

A sudden cloudburst in the Cherwan Kangan area of Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, has led to the closure of the vital Srinagar-Leh highway. The incident, which occurred in the intervening night of Sunday, has caused significant damage to the region, affecting paddy fields and trapping several vehicles in debris.

The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumuri (SSG) road near Padawbal has also been blocked due to an overflow from a nearby canal, resulting in mud accumulation on the road. Authorities have initiated road clearance operations and advised commuters to avoid traveling on the affected routes until further notice.

Gulzar Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal, stated, "Debris has accumulated here, but with God's grace, no lives have been lost. Our priority is to clear the road." He assured that the district police, administration, and private establishments are working together to resolve the situation.

Local authorities have taken immediate action to ensure public safety. Residents of houses where debris has entered have been rescued and shifted to safer locations. Ganderbal SDM Bilal Mukhtar reported that houses in low-lying areas have been damaged, and authorities are assessing the situation.

The cloudburst has also impacted the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. Travelers on the Srinagar-Leh route and Amarnath pilgrims have been advised to stay informed about the situation and await updates from the district administration.

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This incident comes amid reports of similar natural disasters in other parts of northern India. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have also experienced cloudbursts and landslides, resulting in casualties and disruptions to pilgrimage routes.

As rescue and relief efforts continue in Ganderbal, authorities remain committed to clearing the roads, assessing the damage, and ensuring the safety of residents and travelers in the affected areas.