BuzzBytes News Desk
Srinagar, Aug 7 (BuzzBytes News Desk): A flash flood swept away an elderly couple in Udhampur district on Friday even as the Meteorological Department predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir between August 9 and 11 and warned of landslides and waterlogging in vulnerable areas, with the extended spell of bad weather already dealing a blow to tourism at several of Kashmir’s offbeat destinations.
An official told BuzzBytes News Desk that a couple was swept away in a flash flood while attempting to cross the Kaghote nallah in Udhampur district on Friday. He identified them as Baldev Kumar (58) and his wife Maya Devi (53), both residents of Kaghote village. Soon after the incident, police, assisted by local residents, launched a search and rescue operation. One body was recovered in the evening, while the search for the other missing person was continuing, the official added.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department predicted another wet spell across Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Jammu division and possible flash floods during August 9-11. A MeT official said that as per the forecast, August 8 will witness one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places, with brief intense showers also expected at a few places. The department predicted a few spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at most places between August 9 and 11, specifically warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few districts of the Jammu division, with brief intense heavy showers likely at a few districts in the Kashmir division as well. From August 12 to 17, the weather department said there is a possibility of light rain and thundershowers at many places, with brief intense showers at a few places.
The department has issued an advisory for August 9 to 11, citing the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain and brief intense heavy showers at a few districts. “Torrential rain and brief intense heavy showers may generate flash floods and landslides at vulnerable places and cause waterlogging in low-lying areas,” the MeT said. People have been advised to stay away from nallahs, landslide-prone areas and other vulnerable spots, while authorities have been asked to remain alert.
Temperatures across the region remained below normal on Friday. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 28.5 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees below normal, while Pahalgam settled at 23.5 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees below the seasonal average. Kupwara recorded 28.3 degrees Celsius, 2.4 degrees below normal, and Gulmarg registered a maximum of 20.2 degrees Celsius. Jammu recorded a maximum of 33.7 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal. Light rainfall was recorded at Qazigund (1.3 mm), Katra (2 mm) and Bhaderwah (1.4 mm) during the day, while several stations in Kashmir reported trace rainfall over the previous 24 hours.
The relentless weather has already left its mark well beyond Friday’s tragedy in Udhampur. Repeated cloudbursts and prolonged spells of inclement weather have dealt a blow to tourism at Kashmir’s offbeat destinations, with visitor arrivals witnessing a sharp decline in recent weeks in areas such as Gurez, Keran, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Bangus Valley and other scenic locations. Local residents and tourism stakeholders said the adverse conditions, marked by frequent rainfall, flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts, have disrupted road connectivity and prompted many tourists to either cancel or postpone their travel plans. According to official figures, Kashmir has witnessed around 35 cloudbursts this year, triggering flash floods and damaging roads, bridges and other infrastructure in several districts.
In the picturesque Gurez Valley near the Line of Control, hoteliers and local residents said tourist arrivals have dropped considerably over the past few weeks. “We had expected this season to be one of the best after the steady increase in tourist arrivals over the last few years. However, the continuous rains and reports of cloudbursts have discouraged visitors. Hotels that were nearly full are now witnessing low occupancy,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a hotel owner in Gurez, adding that several tourists cancelled their bookings after news of weather-related incidents emerged from different parts of Kashmir.
In Keran, another emerging tourist destination in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, residents said businesses dependent on tourism have suffered losses. “Most families here earn during the summer season through homestays, transport services and small eateries. The bad weather has reduced tourist footfall significantly, affecting our income,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Keran.
Tour operators in Srinagar said inquiries from domestic tourists have slowed, particularly for offbeat destinations that require long road journeys. “The concern is not just rainfall but uncertainty over road conditions. Tourists do not want to risk getting stranded because of landslides or road closures. Many are choosing to stay in Srinagar or Gulmarg instead of travelling to remote destinations,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local tour operator.
The impact has also been felt in Sonamarg, where hoteliers and pony operators said the number of visitors has fallen compared to expectations for the peak tourist season. “We were hoping for a busy August, but repeated weather advisories and intermittent road disruptions have affected business. Most tourists are making only day visits instead of staying overnight,” said Ghulam Nabi, a hotelier in Sonamarg.
Officials said restoration work is underway at affected locations, with road clearance and repair operations being carried out to ensure connectivity wherever weather conditions permit. The Meteorological Department has forecast intermittent rainfall over the coming days and advised tourists and residents to remain cautious, particularly in vulnerable areas prone to landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts. Tourism stakeholders expressed hope that an improvement in weather conditions would revive tourist arrivals during the remaining part of the summer season, especially to Kashmir’s lesser-known destinations that have emerged as popular attractions in recent years—(BuzzBytes)
