List of disasters in the Chenab Valley

Chenab Valley Incidents
LocationChenab Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India
TypeSeries of Incidents and Natural Disasters
First reporter
  • Locals[1]
  • Ababeel (NGO)
  • The Chenab Times
Deaths
  • 1200 (in road mishaps from 2018-2023)[2]
Non-fatal injuries
  • 8000 (in road mishaps from 2018-2023)[2]
MissingNot yet reported
Major RescuersAbabeel

The Chenab Valley, located in the Jammu and Kashmir region administered by India, has experienced a series of major incidents and natural disasters that have left a significant impact on the region. This wikipedia list provides an overview of some of the notable disasters that have occurred in the Chenab Valley.

Earthquakes

2013 Earthquake in Chenab Valley

In 2013, the Chenab Valley was struck by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on May 1. The epicenter was located in the Erstwhile Doda area. The earthquake resulted in the unfortunate loss of two lives and left 69 individuals injured. It led to heightened seismic activity in the region, prompting seismologists to study the area. Some local beliefs attribute the earthquakes to hydroelectric construction projects in the region.[3][4]

June 2023 Chenab Valley Earthquake

On 13 June 2023, an earthquake occurred at 13:33 Indian Standard Time in Chenab Valley's Doda district.[5][6] It was centred near the town of Thathri, and also affected nearby Bhalessa and Bhaderwah areas in the same district and some areas of Jammu and Kashmir. It registered a minimal magnitude of 5.0 and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).[7] As of 14 June 2023, there were at least five secondary earthquakes in the region, mainly near the original epicentre. A series of strong aftershocks occurred near Thathri, Bhaderwah, Bhalessa and Kishtwar.[8] On 17 June 2023, a low-intensity earthquake with 3 magnitude in Ramban area of erstwhile Doda region.[9] While another earthquake jolts erstwhile Doda district with 4.4 magnitude on richter scale, as per National Centre for Seismology.[10] While United States Geological Survey measured this earthquake as 4.3 magnitude.[11] On 18 June 2023, another earthquake hits Doda region with the intensity of 4.1 magnitude on richter scale at 03:50 am (IST).[12] On the same day at 05:22 am IST, an earthquake having epicenter in Doda district with intensity of 2.7 magnitude jolts the region.[13] The severity of the damage caused by the earthquake is attributed to severe upthrust. At least 56 buildings had collapsed and 369 others were damaged in Kishtwar.[14] Dozens of buildings including a hospital were also damaged in Bhaderwah.[15] At least five people were injured and hundreds were displaced.[16][17] Schools were closed on 14 June to evaluate damage.[8]

Accidents

2018 Kela Morh Ramban Accident

On October 6, 2018, a tragic accident occurred on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district near Marog, specifically at Kela Morh. A minibus carrying passengers from Banihal to Ramban plunged into a gorge after its driver lost control over the vehicle.[18]

The accident resulted in the loss of twenty-two lives, including four women and the driver. Additionally, fourteen passengers sustained injuries, with ten of them being critically injured. Prompt medical assistance was provided, and ten critically injured passengers were airlifted to the army hospital at Udhampur, while two others were taken to Jammu for treatment.[19]

Thirteen passengers with severe injuries were also airlifted to the military hospital in Udhampur. Two of them succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. On the other hand, three individuals with minor injuries were discharged after receiving first aid.[20]

The tragic incident was investigated by then Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range DIG Rafiq-ul-Hassan, who confirmed that the minibus veered off the road at approximately 9:55 am. There were conflicting versions on whether the driver, Rehmatullah, lost control of the bus or the vehicle developed a technical snag.[20]

2021 Sui Gwari Accident

The Sui Gwari Accident occurred on October 28, 2021, in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. A tragic incident involving a mini-bus with the registration number JK17 4021 took place on the Batote-Kishtwar highway. The mini-bus was en route from Thathri to Doda when it skidded off the road, rolled down a deep gorge near Sui Gowari, and resulted in a devastating accident.[21]

In the accident, eight people lost their lives on the spot, while several others sustained severe injuries. The injured victims were immediately rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.[22]

Six more individuals succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Government Medical College in Doda and GMC Jammu. As a result, the total death toll reached fourteen.[23]

In response to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced ex gratia payments to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured persons.[24]

2023 Doda Assar Bus Accident

This section is an excerpt from 2023 Doda bus accident.[edit]
On 15 November 2023, 39 people died and 17 more were injured when the driver of a passenger bus lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 300–400 ft (91–122 m) deep gorge in the hilly area of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir.[25][26][27]

Cloudbursts

2017 Thathri Flash Floods

On July 22, 2017, flash floods wreaked havoc in Thathri town of Doda district. The floods inundated vast areas along the Batote-Kishtwar National Highway and washed away half a dozen houses. Tragically, six lives were lost in the flash floods.[28]

Hunzar Kishtwar Cloudburst 2021

On July 28, 2021, a devastating cloudburst hit the Hunzar hamlet in Dachhan area of Kishtwar district. The cloudburst resulted in the unfortunate loss of 26 lives and left 17 individuals injured. The aftermath of the cloudburst had a significant impact on the affected community, with search and rescue efforts ongoing to locate missing persons.[29][30]

Natural

2023 Thathri land subsidence

Cracks in a house in Nayi Basti Thathri, 1 February

On 1 February 2023, a land subsidence event developed in the town of Thathri in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, resulting in 23 structures being declared unsafe and approximately 300 people being displaced.[31] The event has been described by geological experts as a multifactor landsliding. Buildings impacted include several houses, a mosque, a religious school for girls, and a cricket academy.[32][33] As of 9 February 2023[update], a massive landsliding was reported at Nayi Basti which blocked National Highway 244 for hours.[34] As of 23 March 2023, the incident spot is declared as "not habitable" by Geological Survey of India report.[35]

References

  1. ^ Sheikh, Shafqat (18 November 2023). "CHENAB VALLEY: NOT LESS THAN A DEATHTRAP IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR". The Chenab Times. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "NH accidents devour around 1300 lives in Chenab valley, Pir Panchal". Greater Kashmir. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  3. ^ "IIT scientists, NDMA assess damages in quake-hit Erstwhile Doda". The Hindu. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Erstwhile doda quakes not due to hydro projects: Scientists"
  5. ^ "Magnitude 5.4 earthquake strikes eastern Kashmir, India". Reuters. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  6. ^ Ayoob, Anzer (14 June 2023). "4.2, 2.7 Magnitude Aftershocks Rock Doda District: Residents on Edge as Earthquakes Continue". The Chenab Times. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  7. ^ "M 5.0 - 21 km NE of Bhadarwāh, India". Earthquake Hazards Program, USGS. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Precautionary Closure of Schools in Thathri, Gandoh and Bhaderwah Education Zones Amid Ongoing Aftershocks". The Chenab Times. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  9. ^ Digital, Times Now (17 June 2023). "Magnitude 3 Earthquake Hits Jammu And Kashmir's Ramban". TimesNow. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Chenab Valley Shaken by Another Aftershock: 4.4 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Doda-Kishtwar districts". The Chenab Times. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  11. ^ "M 4.3 - 17 km ESE of Kishtwār, India". USGS. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Aftershocks Continue to Jolt Chenab Valley: 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Erstwhile Doda Region". The Chenab Times. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Official Website of National Center of Seismology". Official Website of National Center of Seismology. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  14. ^ "5 mild earthquakes jolt Doda-Kishtwar; no loss reported, schools closed". Daily Excelsior. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Two injured as earthquake damages residential houses, govt offices in Bhaderwah". Greater Kashmir. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  16. ^ "3 earthquakes jolt Jammu and Kashmir's Doda, Katra areas". India Today. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Earthquake in Kashmir; 4 injured, several buildings develop cracks in Doda district". The Indian Express. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  18. ^ "21 dead as mini-bus falls into gorge on Jammu-Srinagar national highway". DNA India. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  19. ^ "22 dead as mini-bus falls into gorge on Jammu-Srinagar highway". The Tribune. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  20. ^ a b "22 killed as minibus plunges into gorge in Ramban on J-K highway". Hindustan Times. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  21. ^ "11 killed, 14 injured as mini-bus falls into gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda". The Hindu. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Doda accident Injured driver succumbs, toll reaches 14". Greater Kashmir. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  23. ^ "After fighting with life for three days, the driver of the Suigwari Doda minibus succumbs, death toll rises to 14". The Chenab Times. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  24. ^ "10 killed in J&K's Doda, PM announces ex-gratia". United News of India. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  25. ^ "37 killed, 19 hurt as bus falls into gorge in J&K's Doda: Officials". Business standard. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  26. ^ "39 killed, 17 injured as bus falls into deep gorge in JK's Doda; PM announces ex-gratia". The Times of India. 15 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  27. ^ "38 killed, 17 injured in J&K as bus plunges into 400-ft gorge". The Indian Express. 2023-11-15. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  28. ^ "Chenab Valley: 6 Killed in Thathri Floods". Times of India. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Kishtwar Cloudburst: Two More Bodies Recovered, Toll Reaches 7, Says Officials". The Chenab Times. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Hunzer Kishtwar Cloudburst: Body of one out of 19 missing people found after 70 days". The Chenab Times. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  31. ^ Ganai, Naseer (4 February 2023). "Jammu & Kashmir: One House Collapses, Several Develop Cracks In J&K's Doda, Villagers Fear Another Joshimath In Making". Outlook (Indian magazine). Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  32. ^ Ali, Jehangir (4 February 2023). "After Joshimath, Land Subsidence in Jammu's Doda Forces Villagers to Scurry for Safety". The Wire (India). Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  33. ^ Yawar, Khan (8 February 2023). "Dream To Play For India Diminished As Our Cricket Academy In J&K Declared Unsafe". The Quint. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Fresh Landslide Strikes Batote-Kishtwar National Highway at Thathri | News — Times of India Videos". The Times of India. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  35. ^ The Tribune India (23 March 2023). "Land subsidence in JK's Doda: Victims face dark future as GSI recommends no habitation in affected area". TribuneIndia News Service. Retrieved 23 March 2023.