Budgam, July 27 (JKNS): Continuous heavy rainfall and the ensuing flash floods have caused widespread devastation across several villages of Khag Tehsil in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, leaving orchards, agricultural land, standing crops and residential houses badly damaged.
Hundreds of farming families have been pushed into distress after suffering heavy losses during the peak agricultural season.
According to local residents, floodwaters inundated vast stretches of farmland, causing extensive damage to apple orchards, vegetable fields and other standing crops. The strong currents also carried large boulders, mud and debris into agricultural fields, damaging fruit trees, disrupting irrigation channels and rendering several fertile lands unfit for cultivation.
The worst-hit areas include Kangripora, Habb Lasipora, Rawatpora, Khanpora, Shunglipora, Drang, Poshkar, Batpora, Cheri Harah and several other villages of Khag Tehsil. Residents said floodwaters entered residential houses, orchards and agricultural fields, resulting in significant financial losses and severely affecting their primary source of livelihood.
Farmers said the destruction during this crucial farming season would have long-term economic consequences. Many expressed concern that damaged orchards could take years to recover, while the loss of standing crops has jeopardised their future income.
Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Drang village, said the floods completely devastated his agricultural land. He stated that the fertile topsoil had been washed away, while large boulders and debris deposited across the fields had left the land unsuitable for cultivation. “Years of hard work have been washed away within a few hours,” he lamented.
An elderly orchard owner from Cheri Harah, Drang, also expressed grief over the destruction of his apple orchard, saying that several fruit trees had been damaged by the floodwaters. He feared that the disaster had severely affected his family’s primary source of income and appealed to the government for immediate financial assistance and adequate compensation.
Besides agricultural losses, several residential houses also sustained damage. Locals said floodwaters entered many homes, damaging walls and household belongings, while some families were forced to move temporarily to safer locations.
Residents of the affected villages have urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to conduct a comprehensive survey of all damaged areas and assess the losses suffered by orchards, crops, agricultural land, residential houses and other properties. They demanded immediate compensation and a special relief package for all affected families.
The residents also appealed to the Budgam district administration to constitute a dedicated survey team to visit every affected village and prepare a detailed assessment report so that compensation reaches the victims without delay.
They further urged the authorities to restore damaged roads, irrigation systems, flood protection bunds and other public infrastructure on a priority basis. Locals emphasised that permanent flood protection measures, including the construction of stronger embankments and improved drainage systems, are essential to prevent similar devastation in the future.
During the flood situation, the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam had assured the media that official teams would visit all affected areas to assess the damage and ensure that relief and compensation are provided to eligible victims in accordance with government norms.
Although floodwaters have started receding in some areas, farmers and orchardists continue to assess the extent of their losses.
They warned that unless timely financial assistance, rehabilitation measures and long-term flood mitigation projects are implemented, Khag’s agriculture-based economy could take years to recover from the disaster. (JKNS)
