Flash floods in Jammu & Kashmir bury machinery at Kwar Hydroelectric Project, blocks Highway

Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall have caused major disruption in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar region, burying heavy construction machinery at the under-construction Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project and blocking key road connectivity, officials said on Monday.

According to reports, intense overnight rain in the upper reaches triggered sudden flash floods that turned into fast-moving torrents of water, mud and boulders. The surge struck the project site with tremendous force, damaging infrastructure and burying several vehicles and construction equipment under debris.

Heavy machinery including dumpers, JCBs and trucks parked at the site were reportedly engulfed as the floodwaters swept through the area. The impact was so severe that large portions of the project site were covered under thick layers of mud and rocks within minutes.

Authorities confirmed that no loss of life or injuries have been reported so far, but significant damage has been caused to equipment and ongoing construction activity. Rescue and clearance operations have been launched to remove debris and restore normal functioning at the site.

The flash floods also led to the blocking of the Doda–Kishtwar stretch of National Highway 244 (NH-244), where large quantities of mud and boulders were deposited on the road. Traffic movement has been suspended, and commuters have been advised to avoid the route until restoration work is completed.

District administration and highway authorities have deployed men and machinery to clear the debris and reopen the road at the earliest. Officials are closely monitoring river levels and vulnerable slopes as the region continues to receive intermittent rainfall.

The incident is part of a series of monsoon-related disruptions in the Chenab Valley, where landslides and flash floods have become increasingly frequent during heavy rain spells, affecting infrastructure projects and connectivity.