April 30:

||Black and White Digital News Exclusive||.

In a tragic turn of events, Jammu and Kashmir has been ravaged by landslides and flash floods, claiming five lives and leaving several injured. The calamitous weather has also wrought havoc on homes and infrastructure, affecting hundreds of residents across various districts.

**Impact Across Hilly Districts**

The recent heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in several hilly districts including Doda, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Baramulla. These natural disasters have caused substantial damage, leading to the closure of the critical Srinagar-Jammu national highway for the past three days. Landslides have blocked multiple sections along this vital lifeline, disrupting transportation and connectivity in the region.

**Kupwara: Scenes of Devastation and Slow Recovery**

In Kupwara, the situation remains grim, although signs of recovery are starting to emerge. The water levels are receding, allowing residents to return to their damaged homes. However, the scars of destruction are evident—roads washed away, houses inundated with knee-deep water, and parts of buildings lost to the relentless force of the floodwaters. Visuals from the affected areas depict a harrowing scene of destruction.

Officials have issued danger warnings for vulnerable zones like Pohru Nallah, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the volatile weather conditions.

**Response and Relief Efforts**

Authorities have credited timely evacuations with saving lives amidst the disaster. Aziz Ahmad, the Additional District Magistrate of Handwara, emphasized that the primary focus remains on assessing losses and providing urgent aid to affected communities.

**Infrastructure in Ruins**

The floods have not only affected lives but have also dealt a severe blow to critical infrastructure. Major bridges like Shumriyal, Khumryal, and Shatmuqam have suffered damage, alongside government buildings and roads. The disruption of key roadways like Shumryal- Gundajhanger due to severe erosion and dam breaches further compounds the challenges faced by rescue and relief operations.

**Appeals for Support**

Desperate locals, having lost everything in the floods, are pleading for immediate assistance with essentials like food and clothing, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian aid.

**City-Wide Impact**

The impact of incessant rainfall extends beyond the hilly districts, with waterlogging affecting parts of Srinagar city and low-lying areas in the Kashmir valley. In response to the ongoing inclement weather, authorities have prudently closed schools, colleges, and postponed university examinations to ensure public safety.

**Looking Ahead**

As Jammu and Kashmir grapples with the aftermath of these calamitous events, the focus remains on relief efforts, rehabilitation, and bolstering resilience against future natural disasters. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but with concerted efforts and support, affected communities can begin to rebuild their lives in the face of adversity.