38 Killed after Massive Cloudburst in J&K
A devastating cloudburst struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Chashoti village on Thursday, triggering a flash flood that has claimed the lives of at least 38 people and injured dozens more. The disaster has left a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as rescue efforts continue.
The flash flood occurred in the early hours of the morning, catching residents off guard and leaving many without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. The Machail Mata Yatra, a popular annual pilgrimage that attracts thousands of devotees, has been suspended as a result of the floods, as Chashoti is the starting point of the yatra.
The villagers were woken up to the sound of loud rumbling and roaring, which was followed by a massive wall of water that swept through the village. The sudden and unexpected flood caught everyone by surprise, leaving many trapped in their homes or swept away by the powerful currents.
“It was like a nightmare come true,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Chashoti who managed to escape the flood. “The water was rising so fast, and we didn’t know what to do. We were all crying and screaming, but there was no one to help us.”
Ahmad’s family was among the lucky ones who managed to escape with their lives, but many others were not so fortunate. The bodies of the deceased have been recovered, and the injured are being treated at local hospitals.
The cloudburst was triggered by a sudden and intense bout of rain that hit the region, causing the nearby river to swell and overflow its banks. The floodwaters swept through the village, destroying homes, shops, and other structures in their path.
“It was a sheer disaster,” said Abdul Rashid, a local resident who witnessed the flood. “The water was chest-deep in some areas, and it was difficult to breathe. We were all in shock, and we didn’t know what to do.”
The authorities have launched a massive rescue operation to reach the affected areas and provide assistance to those in need. Emergency teams, including paramedics, engineers, and relief workers, have been deployed to the region to provide support and aid to the victims.
“We are doing everything we can to help the affected people,” said a senior government official. “We have deployed teams to the area, and we are working to provide food, water, and shelter to those who need it. We are also working to clear the debris and restore essential services to the region.”
The Indian military has also been mobilized to assist in the rescue efforts, with troops and aircraft being deployed to the region. The military has set up a relief camp in the area and is providing food, water, and medical assistance to the affected people.
The Machail Mata Yatra, which is a major pilgrimage for Hindus in the region, has been suspended until further notice. The yatra is a 32-kilometer trek that takes devotees from Chashoti to the shrine of Machail Mata, a revered goddess in the region.
The pilgrimage attracts thousands of devotees every year, and its suspension is a major blow to the local economy and tourism industry. The authorities are working to restore the yatra as soon as possible, but for now, the focus is on providing relief and assistance to the affected people.
The cloudburst and flash flood have also caused significant damage to the region’s infrastructure, with several bridges and roads being washed away or damaged. The authorities are working to clear the debris and restore essential services to the region, but it may take some time before normalcy is restored.
As the region begins to recover from the disaster, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are coming together to support each other. Neighbors are helping neighbors, and local businesses are donating goods and services to support the relief efforts.
In the face of such tragedy, it is heartening to see the resilience and camaraderie of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The region may have been hit by a devastating disaster, but it will not be defeated by it.
