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, and over 100 have been injured in the disaster. The situation is grim, with several hundred people feared trapped under the debris, sparking a massive rescue operation.
The cloudburst, which occurred around 3 pm, caught the villagers off guard, leaving them with little chance of escape. The sudden and intense rain caused widespread destruction, with homes, buildings, and infrastructure being severely damaged or completely destroyed. The village was submerged in water, making it difficult for rescue teams to access the affected areas.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the death toll, stating that at least 60 people had lost their lives in the disaster. He also expressed concern about the number of people still trapped under the debris, saying that over 500 people are feared to be stuck.
“My team is working day and night to rescue those trapped. We are doing our best to reach out to the affected families and provide them with necessary assistance,” Omar Abdullah said.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, stating that the situation is extremely challenging. “I believe more than 500 people are still trapped under the debris in Kishtwar. We are doing everything possible to rescue them,” he said.
The authorities have launched a massive rescue operation, with teams from the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the local administration working together to evacuate those trapped. The rescue efforts are being hampered by the challenging terrain and the scale of destruction, but the teams are working tirelessly to reach out to those in need.
The cloudburst has also caused significant damage to infrastructure, with several roads and bridges being washed away. The power supply has been disrupted, and communication networks are affected. The administration has set up relief camps to provide shelter and food to those affected by the disaster.
The government has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of those who have lost their lives in the disaster. The affected families will also receive a compensation of Rs 50,000 to help them recover from the loss.
The cloudburst is the latest in a series of natural disasters to strike Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. The state has been ravaged by frequent floods, landslides, and earthquakes, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
As the rescue efforts continue, the authorities are working to provide aid to those affected by the disaster. The government has also appealed to the public to provide any assistance they can to the affected families.
In the meantime, the nation is coming together to condemn the tragedy and offer support to those affected. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing a difficult time, and the government is working tirelessly to provide them with the necessary assistance.
