One killed; several houses damaged in Kashmir flash floods

Srinagar, Aug 14 (UNI) One person was killed and several houses damaged as flash floods swept through some parts of the central Kashmir district of Badgam following a cloudburst in the higher reaches of Chadoora this evening, official sources said.

They said a high alert has been sounded as threat to life and property was apprehended due to the flash floods.

The cloudburst was reported to have taken place at Brenwar in the upper reaches of Chadoora tehsil.

The sources said a person identified as Khazir Ganai was killed as heavy currents of water swept him away at Watakul, and also uprooted a large number of trees and damaged several houses which came in the way.

They said his body was recovered later from Alipora area in Chadoora tehsil.

The sources said the flash floods were rushing towards Watrehail, Natipora and Chanapora areas on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

They said the water level in the Doodhganga river was continuously increasing, posing a serious threat to the inhabitants of the areas located near it.

The sources said senior civil and police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, have rushed to the affected areas to take stock of the situation.

The Flood Control Department, as a precautionary measure, has opened the gates of a diversion channel at Bagh-e-Mehtab to prevent the flood waters from entering the areas on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Senior officials were camping at Bagh-e-Mehtab and monitoring the situation. They expressed the hope that the waters would soon recede.

UNI AG VD RAI2044