Kashmir

Multiple cloudbursts trigger flash floods across Valley; woman killed, several shifted to safety

SRINAGAR — A woman was washed away while hundreds of people were evacuated as multiple cloudbursts struck the Valley on Monday, triggering flash floods in several districts, officials said.

Naseema Begum (52) was washed away in a flash flood caused by a cloudburst as she was trying to manoeuvre across a culvert over a swelled stream in Lolab area of Kupwara district, officials said.

Her body was later recovered downstream near Shahabad.

A mosque and a footbridge were also damaged due to flash floods at Bimla Wali Moori in Kupwara, they said.

Cloudbursts also struck the tourist resort of Pahalgam in Amantnag, Herpora in Shopian and Dardpora in Bandipora district, officials said, adding that some bridges and roads have been damaged due to the flash floods.

Authorities evacuated hundreds of people including tourists to safer places in Shopian and Pahalgam as water levels in local streams are rising rapidly.

As many as 80 persons have been evacuated in Shopian, while around 200 have been moved to safety in Pahalgam, officials said. — (PTI)