Flash floods reduce Doda to slush

Flash floods triggered by cloud burst have wreaked havoc in Doda district of Jammu.

Three people are feared dead after they went missing when the flash flood hit Bugger village on Wednesday night. Several hotels and dhabas were damaged and a huge mass of slush has blocked the Doda -Kishtwar highway.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when there was massive cloud burst which triggered flash floods at eight places. Minutes later mudslides hit the village and the highway washing away vehicles, hotels and dhabas which caused panic among the people.

District collector of Doda Farooq Ahmad said three people are missing and they do not know whether they are alive of dead. “We fear they are dead but nothing can be said with surety. Two dhabas and six kiosks were washed away in the flash floods,” he said.

Ahmad said massive rescue operations have been launched to clear the slush. “We do not know what lies under the slush. We are trying to clear the slush and open the road. The situation is well under control,” he said.

District administration has sought the help of army in rescue operations in the area. “We have asked army to help us in our rescue operations,” he said.