38 Killed After Massive Cloudburst in J&K
A devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chashoti village has claimed at least 38 lives and left dozens injured, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The flash flood caused by the sudden release of water from the heavens has sent shockwaves across the region, with fears that the death toll may rise further.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, catching residents off guard and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The cloudburst was so intense that it swept away houses, bridges, and other structures, leaving many people stranded and without access to basic amenities.
The Machail Mata Yatra, a popular annual pilgrimage that attracts thousands of devotees every year, has been suspended indefinitely due to the flash floods. Chashoti is the starting point of the yatra, which is a revered pilgrimage route for devotees of the Hindu goddess Mata Machail.
The authorities have launched a rescue operation to evacuate those stranded and provide aid to the affected families. Emergency services, including the Indian Army, the Border Security Force (BSF), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed to the area to assist in the relief efforts.
The death toll is feared to rise as many people are still missing and feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for survivors and retrieve bodies from the rubble.
Eyewitnesses described the cloudburst as a “flood of biblical proportions” that caught them off guard. “We were sleeping when suddenly we heard a loud noise and saw the water rising,” said Muhammad Ali, a resident of Chashoti. “We were swept away by the flood and ended up on the rooftops. It was a miracle that we survived.”
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in the region, advising people to stay indoors and avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.
The cloudburst has also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. The state government has announced an emergency fund to provide relief to the affected families and to carry out relief and rescue operations.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are no strangers to natural disasters, but the scale and intensity of this cloudburst have left many in shock. The incident serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the need for preparedness and disaster management strategies.
As the rescue efforts continue and the death toll rises, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are coming together to support those affected by the disaster. The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of community and resilience in the face of adversity.
