38 Killed After Massive Cloudburst in J&K
A devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chashoti village has left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of at least 38 people and injuring dozens more. The sudden and unexpected flash flood has brought the annual Machail Mata Yatra to a grinding halt, as the starting point of the pilgrimage, Chashoti, has been severely affected by the disaster.
According to reports, the cloudburst occurred on Thursday, catching residents and pilgrims off guard. The sudden downpour caused a massive flash flood in the area, sweeping away everything in its path. The sheer force of the floodwaters has left a vast majority of the village under water, with many buildings and structures destroyed.
As the rescue efforts are underway, officials have warned that the death toll is feared to rise. The exact number of injured and missing people is still unknown, as many are feared to be trapped in the rubble or swept away by the floodwaters.
The Machail Mata Yatra, an annual pilgrimage that attracts thousands of devotees from across the country, has been suspended indefinitely due to the devastating flash flood. The yatra, which is one of the most revered and important pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir, was scheduled to commence from Chashoti, but with the village severely affected, it has been put on hold.
The authorities have launched a massive rescue operation to evacuate the affected residents and pilgrims from the area. Helicopters and boats are being used to reach the affected areas, where rescue teams are working tirelessly to extricate those trapped under debris.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. The IAF has dispatched helicopters to the area to evacuate the affected people and transport essential supplies.
The cloudburst has also caused significant damage to the infrastructure in the area, with many roads and bridges washed away. The power supply has been disrupted, leaving thousands of residents and pilgrims without electricity.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who have lost their lives in the disaster. The government has also set up relief camps in the affected areas to provide shelter and food to the affected residents and pilgrims.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, with people expressing their condolences to the families of the victims. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has assured that all possible measures are being taken to provide assistance to the affected people and to ensure that those injured receive the best possible medical treatment.
The cause of the cloudburst is still unknown, but experts have attributed it to the unusual weather patterns that have been witnessed in the region in recent weeks. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours, advising people to exercise caution and stay away from low-lying areas.
As the situation continues to unfold, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are coming together to provide support to those affected by the disaster. The incident serves as a reminder of the fury of nature and the importance of being prepared for such disasters.
