Relentless overnight rainfall triggered flash floods that severely impacted the Doda-Kishtwar highway on Monday, bringing vehicular movement to a halt and engulfing multiple vehicles near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project in the mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar.
Massive amounts of mud, boulders, and rubble were swept onto the roadway by the sudden torrents. According to authorities, a stretch of the highway sustained damage, prompting officials to suspend all traffic. At Prem Nagar, several cars and trucks parked along the roadside became trapped in the floodborne sludge. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported from the incident.
Local administration has initiated road-clearing and restoration efforts, while motorists have been strongly advised to stay off the highway and comply with official traffic notifications until the route is officially reopened.
In neighbouring Kishtwar district, the persistent heavy rain also provoked a significant landslide and mudslide close to the tunnel section of the same 540 MW Kwar hydel project. Officials confirmed that the flash floods channeled large quantities of dirt and rocks into the project compound, burying numerous vehicles—including trucks, bulldozers, and other heavy construction machinery—alongside damaging stored building materials. Several pieces of equipment have sustained extensive damage and remain stuck beneath the debris. Clearance operations are actively underway to recover the stranded vehicles and restore the affected site.
Minor flash flood events were also noted in the higher-altitude regions of Reasi district, officials added.
Prior to the downpour, the administration had issued a weather advisory cautioning about heavy rain, thunderstorms, flash floods, and landslides across vulnerable parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Residents, particularly those living close to riverbanks and streams, were urged to stay vigilant and avoid unsafe zones.
