Kargil, July 21/ VOL News Desk/ A series of cloudbursts and continuous heavy rainfall over Saturday, Sunday and Monday triggered sudden flash floods across several areas of Kargil district, causing widespread destruction to agriculture, infrastructure, and residential properties.

According to reports from multiple locations, the floodwaters carried large quantities of mud, stones, and boulders, severely damaging agricultural land, standing crops, irrigation channels, houses, roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

Border areas including Salmo, Karkitchoo, Chhanigund, Choskore, Sangrah, Karchey Khar, and Batakhar in Sankoo subdivision were among the worst affected. In several villages, standing crops were completely destroyed, while farmlands were buried under debris, resulting in significant financial losses for farmers. Initial reports also indicate damage to houses, irrigation systems, roads, bridges, and other public assets, although the full extent of losses will be determined after an official survey.

In Salmo and Karkitchoo, floodwaters reportedly swept away several vehicles. Videos circulating on social media show the intensity of the floods and the scale of destruction, causing widespread fear among residents.

A field team from Voice of Ladakh visited Karchey Khar and Karkitchoo on Tuesday to assess the situation and interact with affected residents. Locals in Karchey Khar said the floods altered the course of the Barsu stream, destroying large tracts of farmland and crops. Continuous soil erosion has also put nearby houses and a Buddha statue in the area at risk. Residents have urged the government to construct protective embankments, restore the stream’s course, and take urgent measures to prevent further erosion.

In Karkitchoo, the floods caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, irrigation channels, orchards, and agricultural land. Local sources claimed that at least eight vehicles were washed away. Affected residents have demanded immediate repair of irrigation channels to prevent further hardship for farmers.

Meanwhile, water levels in rivers and streams, including the Suru River, rose significantly. Reports suggest that the river water reached areas near Bulbul Bagh and Khree Sultan Cho Sports Stadium, raising concerns among nearby residents.

It may be noted that just two days earlier, flash floods in Sangrah and Karchey Khar had already caused large-scale damage. In Sangrah, several houses were severely affected, while floods in Batakhar stream reportedly killed dozens of livestock, particularly cows, in Khala, Merpochu, and Makchan areas.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil, Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, visited the affected areas along with executive councillors, district administration officials, and senior officers from various departments. He reviewed the situation, met affected families, assessed damages, and directed officials to expedite damage assessment, relief, and restoration work. He assured residents that the administration is taking all necessary steps to provide assistance and restore essential services at the earliest.

Residents of affected areas have urged the government and administration to deploy special teams for immediate damage assessment, provide emergency financial assistance to affected families, and ensure swift restoration of irrigation systems, drinking water schemes, roads, and bridges. They also called for long-term measures to prevent soil erosion and mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.

Notably, incidents of cloudbursts and flash floods are common in parts of Ladakh during late July and early August. In view of this, the Meteorological Department has issued an advisory warning of adverse weather conditions until the end of July, urging people to avoid riverbanks, limit unnecessary travel, and strictly follow administrative guidelines.

Currently, weather conditions remain unstable across Ladakh, particularly in Kargil district, with intermittent rainfall continuing. This has heightened fear among residents living near rivers and streams. Locals have called for continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas, strengthening of early warning systems, and keeping emergency response teams on high alert to effectively handle any potential crisis.