When the Sky Opened Over Janwai
Last week, in the peaceful mountain village of Janwai in Neelum Valley, a terrifying roar echoed through the hills. What began as a heavy downpour quickly turned into something far more violent — sudden, merciless, and unforgettable.
It was a cloudburst, one of nature’s most unpredictable and devastating weather events, and it struck without warning.
Within minutes, a raging torrent swept through Jandran Wala Nallah, turning a serene stream into a wall of debris and water. Shops, homes, and bridges were crushed in moments. By morning, the once-bustling centre of Janwai was reduced to silence — soaked, broken, but still standing in faith.
When the Skies Turn Violent
Janwai is no stranger to heavy rain, but this time, the clouds carried a force beyond imagination. The deluge swept through the valley, triggering sudden flash floods that left destruction in their wake.
In the space of an hour, a flood that no one could outrun had:
- Swept away a connecting bridge in Chardhok
- Destroyed three motorcycles, four small shops, a vegetable stall, a medical store, and even a small clinic
- Damaged transmission lines of a 50kV power station
- Completely destroyed two homes and partially damaged two others
For many, a lifetime of effort vanished overnight. One father stood weeping beside what used to be his shop — his sole source of income — now a muddy patch of earth. Another man stared helplessly at the empty foundations of the house he had built with his own hands.
And yet, despite all odds, no lives were lost. That alone is a miracle — one born of courage, faith, and community.
The Community That Saved Itself
When the storm struck, it was the people — not machines or officials — who became the first line of defence.
Neighbours banged on doors, shouting warnings. Families rushed to higher ground, pulling children from flooded lanes. Volunteers from nearby villages ran toward danger, not away from it.
Thanks to their courage and the quick coordination between residents and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), many lives were saved that night. Livestock were moved to safety, children were given shelter in higher buildings, and the injured were carried to dry ground.
Janwai’s people did not wait for help to arrive. They became the help.
What Exactly Is a Cloudburst?
A cloudburst is an extreme weather event where over 100mm of rainfall crashes down within an hour, often across a small, confined area. It’s like a dam bursting in the sky.
In mountainous areas such as Neelum Valley, this is catastrophic. The steep terrain channels water into narrow gorges, turning tiny streams into torrents of destruction. The soil can’t absorb water fast enough, so the excess races downhill, uprooting everything in its path.
Cloudbursts can level houses, destroy roads, and sweep entire villages within minutes.
Climate Change: The Hidden Cause Behind the Storm
This wasn’t an isolated event. Scientists and local observers have warned that climate change is reshaping weather across Azad Kashmir.
As global temperatures rise, warm air holds more moisture, creating volatile conditions. When this moisture-laden air cools rapidly in the mountains, the result can be explosive — intense cloudbursts and flash floods.
In the past decade, Neelum Valley and upper Kashmir regions have seen:
- More frequent and unpredictable rainfall
- Accelerated glacier melt feeding unstable rivers
- Increased soil erosion and landslides
- Hotter summers leading to sudden atmospheric imbalances
Climate change has turned Kashmir’s paradise into a region on edge — where beauty coexists with constant risk.
A Valley Cut Off and a Community Rebuilding
In the aftermath of the Janwai cloudburst, parts of Neelum Valley were completely cut off. The main highway was blocked by debris and landslides, preventing aid and travel.
By dawn, the Public Works Department (PWD) began clearing the road, working tirelessly through the night. Within 24 hours, access was restored.
Electricity lines remain damaged in some areas, but repair teams are restoring power step by step. Families who lost homes are now in temporary shelters, while others rebuild with the help of local charities and volunteers.
Through it all, Kashmir Welfare Foundation has been coordinating local relief, providing immediate support and long-term recovery for affected families.
How Kashmir Welfare Foundation Responds
When disasters like this strike, time saves lives. Kashmir Welfare Foundation operates under its Emergency Relief Campaign, deploying rapid aid to affected communities.
Your donations help provide:
- Food packs and clean water to displaced families
- Temporary shelters, blankets, and hygiene kits for those who lost homes
- Medical aid for injured or vulnerable individuals
- Rebuilding support for small businesses and family shops destroyed in floods
- Training for local volunteers to respond to future emergencies
Every pound donated brings hope to the mountains of Kashmir.
The Mountain Remembers
For Janwai, life will never be quite the same. The scars on its landscape — and in its people’s hearts — will take time to heal.
But amid the mud and wreckage, there is resilience. Children are returning to school. Markets are reopening. The mosque’s call to prayer once again echoes through the valley.
The people of Neelum are not victims of the mountain. They are its guardians. They have endured war, winter, and now climate disaster — yet they rise, again and again.
As one volunteer said while helping to rebuild a bridge:
“The mountain gave us life. We owe it to it to rebuild.”
This is the spirit Kashmir Welfare Foundation stands with — courage, compassion, and faith in the face of adversity.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Let us not wait for another cloudburst to remind us of what truly matters. The people of Janwai and Neelum need your continued support — not just to survive, but to build a safer, more resilient Kashmir.
🌧️ Donate today to our Emergency Relief Campaign
And if you can, give regularly through:
Because when the skies fall, we must rise — together.
FAQs: Understanding Cloudbursts and Relief in Kashmir
1. What causes a cloudburst in Kashmir?
A cloudburst happens when warm, moist air rapidly rises in the mountains and cools suddenly, releasing intense rainfall in a small area. Climate change and deforestation are worsening these events.
2. Why is Neelum Valley more vulnerable than other areas?
Neelum’s steep terrain and narrow valleys cause water to channel rapidly during rainfall, increasing flood risk. The loss of trees and weak infrastructure make the impact even worse.
3. How does Kashmir Welfare Foundation help during disasters?
We provide emergency aid — food, shelter, medical help, and clean water — and stay beyond the crisis to rebuild homes and livelihoods.
4. What can communities do to prevent future disasters?
Planting trees, building mini ponds, managing slopes, and learning early-warning systems can drastically reduce damage from flash floods.
5. How can UK donors make the most impact?
Regular donations, especially through Sadaqah or Zakat, allow us to plan long-term disaster preparedness and sustainable relief programmes in Kashmir.
