At least 60 killed, several trapped after cloudburst in J&K
A devastating cloudburst struck Chashoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. According to reports, at least 60 people have lost their lives, with over 100 others injured in the disaster. The situation is dire, with many more feared trapped under the debris.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the death toll, stating that the cloudburst had caused extensive damage to the village. “I believe more than 500 people are still trapped under the debris in Kishtwar,” he added, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
The cloudburst, which occurred at around 2:30 pm on Thursday, caught the residents of Chashoti village by surprise. The sudden and intense rain caused flash flooding, landslides, and mudslides, destroying homes and infrastructure. The impact was felt across the region, with many areas experiencing power outages and communication disruptions.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with emergency services, the army, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working together to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “apocalyptic,” with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. “The rain came suddenly, and within minutes, the entire village was flooded. I saw people trying to run, but it was too late. The water was too strong, and it swept them away,” said one local resident.
The rescue operation is ongoing, with teams working tirelessly to reach those trapped under the debris. However, the challenge is immense, with the terrain making it difficult to access some areas. “We are doing our best to rescue those trapped, but it’s a challenging task due to the remote location and the sheer scale of the disaster,” said a rescue official.
The government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster. Additionally, Rs 1 lakh each has been promised for those injured. The government has also ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of the cloudburst and to identify areas where improvements can be made to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are no strangers to natural disasters, having faced numerous floods, landslides, and earthquakes over the years. However, this latest cloudburst has left the region reeling, with many communities still coming to terms with the devastating loss of life and property.
As the rescue operation continues, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are holding on to hope that those still trapped will be found and rescued safely. The government and emergency services are working around the clock to ensure that all efforts are made to save those in need.
