Water entered the settlements after a cloudburst in the hilly area.

Srinagar. A big and sad news is coming out from Anantnag district of South Kashmir, where nature’s havoc has rained from the sky. A terrible incident of cloudburst has occurred in Nala Chhotihal under Chitragul area of ​​Anantnag. Due to this geological and seasonal change in the hilly area, there was sudden flash flood in the low lying residential and agricultural areas. This natural disaster has caused widespread devastation in the entire area, due to which local life has become completely disrupted. The high speed of water brought with it a huge amount of mud, big stones and debris, which engulfed the entire Chitragul area in no time. The biggest and direct hit of this disaster has been on the poor farmers and gardeners of the area. Hundreds of kanals of agricultural land around Chitragul and Nala Chhotihal have been completely buried under the debris. This flood has caused serious damage to the apple orchards, which are considered the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. Countless apple trees have been uprooted due to the strong current, and those that are left have been buried under debris. Apart from this, the paddy crops being prepared this season have also been completely destroyed by this sudden flood. Farmers say that their year’s hard work and means of livelihood turned into a pile of debris in front of their eyes within a few minutes, causing hue and cry in the entire area. Along with agriculture and horticulture, many residential areas of Chitragul have also been badly affected by this disaster. The water from the drains overflowed and directly entered people’s houses, courtyards and cowsheds. Due to water logging in the settlements, cracks have appeared in the walls of many houses and valuables, ration and clothes kept inside the houses have been completely ruined. Due to accumulation of debris and stones on the roads, the area has been cut off from the main roads, due to which relief operations faced initial difficulties. There is an atmosphere of great fear and anxiety among the local residents after this sudden disaster. As soon as the information about this horrific disaster reached the district headquarters, the district administration of Anantnag immediately swung into action. Without wasting any time, the administration dispatched relief and rescue teams (SDRF and police) to the affected areas. Under the supervision of administrative officials, the work of evacuating people from the affected areas to safe places was started. Along with this, instructions have been issued to send joint teams of Revenue and Agriculture Department to the spot and make an accurate assessment of the total loss in the area so that the relief process can be carried forward rapidly. The administration took immediate action and also took precautionary measures in the affected areas. Heavy machinery (JCB) has been pressed into service to divert drains and clear debris from roads, so that traffic and essential services can be restored. Along with this, the district administration has assured all possible help to the affected villagers. On the other hand, the local villagers and farmer organizations of Chitragul, which are facing huge devastation, have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor administration and the District Collector to announce a special financial relief package and appropriate compensation as soon as possible in view of the seriousness of the situation, so that they can overcome this crisis.