Heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood in the upper reaches of Thathri town in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday, causing partial damage to several houses, shops and vehicles. No casualties have been reported.
The incident marks the third flash flood in Doda and Kishtwar districts in the past two days following continuous heavy rainfall in the hilly region. According to officials, intense rain in the upper reaches sent mud, boulders and debris rushing into Thathri town, damaging residential and commercial buildings. Several vehicles parked along the roadside were buried under the debris, while locals claimed that some vehicles were washed away into the Chenab River. The exact number of affected vehicles and the overall extent of the damage are yet to be officially assessed.
The flash flood also blocked the Doda–Kishtwar Highway, disrupting traffic in the area. The district administration, along with the police and other agencies, launched a clearance operation to restore road connectivity and assess the damage.
The incident came a day after another rain-triggered flash flood damaged a section of the Doda–Kishtwar Highway near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project.
Doda Deputy Commissioner Krishna Lal said the administration responded promptly to all rain-related incidents across the district and restored affected roads. He said that mud and debris that had accumulated on the road in Prem Nagar area of Thathri after a minor landslide were cleared early in the morning, allowing traffic to resume. Similar clearance operations were also carried out on the Chirala and Bagna Link roads.
The Deputy Commissioner urged people not to panic or spread rumours, clarifying that the incidents were caused by heavy rainfall and not by a cloudburst. He appealed to residents to verify any information with the district administration or the district control room before believing or sharing it.
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