JK: Cloudburst in Pulwama, army rushes to rescue

As Leh battles to get back on its feet after the devastating cloudbursts, heavy overnight rains lashed parts of the Valley flooding villages and destroying crops.

Around midnight a cloudburst and flashfloods occurred in villages of Khunamuh and Balhama in Pulwama district, official sources said.

They said the flashfloods inundated the low-lying areas and submerged the ground floor of the houses in the villages. A large number of livestock were drowned and standing crops were destroyed.

However, due to the instant and timely reaction, the army was able to avert any loss of life by evacuating persons stuck in flood-affected

areas, the sources said.

They said army columns along with civil administration were monitoring the situation.

Additional columns of the army reached and provided relief to the marooned people whose houses were submerged in water.

The forces evacuated people to safer places besides extricating valuables and household goods of the villagers from floodwaters, a defence spokesman said.

The army has also provided temporary accommodation to the affected people in terms of rations, tents, fresh water and medical assistance.