MUZAFFARABAD: A sudden cloudburst in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley triggered severe flooding in the Katha Piran drain, destroying homes, shops and public infrastructure.
According to initial reports, six houses, sixteen shops and a mosque were razed by the flash flood, while the building of Government Girls High School Katha Piran sustained extensive damage, crippling educational facilities in the area. The floodwaters also swept away a carry van, two jeeps, eleven motorcycles and six wooden bridges, cutting off local connectivity.
District officials said dozens of houses have been damaged, with crops, gardens, bridges and electrical installations destroyed. A large number of livestock were also lost to the flood, compounding the hardship faced by residents.
Deputy Commissioner Neelum Valley stated that the full extent of damage will be determined once rescue and relief operations are completed. Meanwhile, traffic flow on the Neelum Highway has been disrupted at Shahkot due to severe flooding, further isolating affected communities.
Authorities emphasized that while no casualties have been reported so far, the scale of destruction underscores the vulnerability of the valley to sudden weather events. Rescue teams remain engaged in clearing debris and restoring access to the cut‑off areas.
