Flash floods in J&K's Doda cut off villages; pilgrimages halted amid heavy rains
JAMMU: Heavy rains triggered flash floods in the Kalalgisar area of Bhalessa, in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, on Wednesday. The floods brought mud and debris that blocked several interior link roads, cutting off multiple villages in the region. Officials said restoration work began after the situation improved later in the day.
In neighbouring Kishtwar district, inclement weather forced authorities to suspend the ongoing annual pilgrimages to the Machhail Mata and Mindhal Mata shrines, which had begun on June 1. Officials stated that the decision was taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims, citing incessant rainfall, slippery roads, and the risk of falling stones.
The Kishtwar administration issued an advisory urging devotees not to undertake the pilgrimages and to remain at home or other safe locations until further notice. Thursday's yatras were also subject to fair weather conditions, the advisory said.
The Doda district administration urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas and to follow official advisories rather than relying on unverified social media posts, including reports of cloudbursts and other calamities, until connectivity was fully restored.
In a separate advisory, the Doda administration stated: “All social media users, electronic media channels, print media organisations, digital news platforms, and content creators are advised to verify all weather-related information before publishing, broadcasting, or sharing it. The dissemination of unverified or misleading information may create unnecessary panic, confusion, and hamper the response of emergency agencies.”
The notification requested all media personnel to contact the district control room in Doda for authentic, official updates on weather conditions and any emergency developments.
