Anantnag Cloudburst 2025: 2 Dead, Bridges Washed Away, Floods Submerge Towns
By: Javid Amin | 27 Aug 2025
Tragedy Strikes: Uncle & Nephew Electrocuted
Heavy rains and cloudbursts battered Anantnag, triggering flash floods and widespread devastation. Amid the chaos, tragedy struck when a high-tension electric line collapsed, killing an uncle and his nephew.
The victims were rushed to the Government Medical College, Anantnag, but were declared dead on arrival. Locals described the deaths as a grim reminder of poor safety infrastructure in the region, where fragile electric grids often collapse during storms.
Anantnag Town Waterlogged, Courts Flooded
Torrential downpour caused the Aaripat tributary to overflow, submerging major parts of Anantnag town. Floodwaters breached key locations, including the District Court Complex, where:
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Case files and judicial records were damaged.
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Judicial proceedings came to a standstill.
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Lawyers and litigants were stranded as court chambers filled with water.
This marks one of the first times in decades that courts in Kashmir have been paralyzed by natural flooding.
Rescue Operations: Nomadic Families Saved
Rescue teams, including police, SDRF, and locals, rushed to save nomadic families trapped near Brengi Nallah in Bon Dialgam. Boats and ropes were used to pull families to safety after water currents rose suddenly following the cloudburst.
Authorities confirmed that hundreds of residents have been relocated to safer areas, with relief camps set up in schools and community halls.
Bridges Swept Away – Villages Cut Off
The cloudbursts washed away critical bridges, leaving dozens of villages isolated:
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Sakhras Bridge (Pahalgam): Destroyed, cutting off access to over 100 villages.
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Movera–Yanmar Bridge: Swept away, disrupting the Khanabal–Pahalgam road that connects to popular tourist hotels and guesthouses.
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Rural families and tourists remain stranded as authorities explore temporary footbridges and alternative routes.
Shops & Homes Inundated
The floods have damaged shops, homes, and farmland, especially in:
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Dangerpora – shops submerged.
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Mattan Adda & Kralyar – heavy waterlogging, property losses.
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Khudwani, Qaimoh, and Tashloo – Vaishaw River overflowed, flooding residential houses and prompting mass evacuations.
Local traders reported losses in lakhs of rupees as water swept away goods, equipment, and livestock.
Administration’s Response
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District authorities have set up relief camps and deployed rescue teams.
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Engineers from the PWD are assessing bridge damage for emergency reconstruction.
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Judiciary officials are working to safeguard case files and shift court hearings temporarily.
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Police & SDRF are on standby to evacuate people in low-lying areas if rains continue.
Wider Impact: Fragility of Kashmir’s Infrastructure
The Anantnag floods highlight the fragility of Kashmir’s mountain infrastructure:
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Cloudbursts and flash floods are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.
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Bridges and irrigation canals, often built decades ago, cannot withstand extreme rainfall events.
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Essential services like power, justice, and connectivity are immediately paralyzed when disaster strikes.
Experts urge the government to invest in stronger flood defenses, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure for the Himalayan belt.
Conclusion
The Anantnag cloudburst of 2025 has left behind a trail of destruction—lives lost, towns submerged, bridges gone, and justice disrupted. While rescue efforts have saved many, the incident is a stark reminder that Kashmir’s changing climate demands urgent action.
