Tragedy Strikes: Machine Operator Washed Away in J&K Flash Floods

A machine operator, Zahir Ahmed, was tragically swept away in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district. The incident led to significant damage, including the loss of machinery, and sparked immediate rescue efforts. Previous cloudburst incidents in the region have also resulted in fatalities.

A man was washed away in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Monday evening, officials said.

The tragic incident, which occurred in the Bankoot area of Banihal tehsil, saw the flash floods sweeping away a JCB machine along with its operator, Zahir Ahmed.

According to officials, the cloudburst impacted the upper reaches of Bankoot village near Banihal, resulting in flash floods in the Gagarwah and Bankoot rivulets. This deluge caused significant damage, including to the under-construction Bankoot-Gujjarnar road, and swept away various machinery.

Police and local teams rushed to the scene, launching a rescue operation. Intense efforts led to the retrieval of Zahir Ahmed's body from the rivulet. Identified as a 28-year-old machine helper from Tehsil Khari, Ahmed was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital.

In connection with the incident, a case has been registered at the Banihal police station, and further investigations are underway.

Furthermore, on August 26, a similar cloudburst in Rajgarh tehsil result in flash floods, taking three more lives, including a six-year-old girl. The search for four missing persons in that incident continues.

(With inputs from agencies.)