Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Jul 7: Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed officials to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation assistance to families affected by a cloudburst in the Thathri area of Doda district.
According to an official statement issued by the Lieutenant Governor's office, Sinha is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed the district administration to ensure prompt relief measures and accelerate restoration work in the affected region.
The lieutenant governor spoke with Doda Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal to review the impact of the cloudburst and directed him to extend all necessary assistance to affected residents while ensuring that damaged infrastructure is restored at the earliest.
In a message shared on social media, Sinha said that although several houses, shops and other structures had sustained damage, there were no reports of deaths or injuries in the incident.
He also instructed the district administration to prioritise the reopening of National Highway-244, which was affected by the cloudburst, to restore normal connectivity in the area.
The cloudburst caused damage to residential buildings, commercial establishments, roads and other public infrastructure. However, authorities confirmed that there was no loss of human life.
Doda district has witnessed several cloudbursts over the years due to its mountainous terrain, which makes it particularly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. Areas such as Thathri and Bhalesa have repeatedly experienced sudden, intense rainfall that has caused widespread destruction.
In August 2025, a major cloudburst in Doda claimed at least four lives and swept away houses and pedestrian bridges, prompting extensive rescue and relief operations.
Another incident occurred in June 2026 near Bandekhra Nalla in the Thathri region, where heavy rainfall triggered a localised cloudburst and debris flow. Although no casualties were reported, the event disrupted normal life and led to weather advisories.
One of the district's worst disasters occurred in July 2017, when a cloudburst struck Thathri during the night, triggering flash floods that destroyed homes and shops and claimed six lives.
Officials noted that Doda's steep slopes, narrow valleys and fast-flowing streams significantly increase the risk of flash floods during intense rainfall, often resulting in severe damage to infrastructure and property.