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 in the disaster, while over 100 others have been injured. The situation is still dire, with many more feared trapped under the debris.
The incident occurred at around 2 pm on Thursday, when a sudden and intense cloudburst hit the village, causing widespread damage and flooding. The cloudburst was reportedly so intense that it swept away entire buildings, leaving nothing but rubble and debris in its wake.
“It’s a devastating situation,” said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has rushed to the scene to oversee the relief efforts. “At least 60 people have lost their lives, and over 100 have been injured. The situation is still critical, with many more feared trapped under the debris.”
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah also visited the affected area and described the situation as “grim”. “I believe more than 500 people are still trapped under the debris in Kishtwar,” he said, adding that the rescue operation is underway and the authorities are working tirelessly to save as many lives as possible.
The cloudburst has caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with many buildings and homes reduced to rubble. The village is now without power and water, and the situation is made worse by the fact that many people are still trapped under the debris.
Rescue teams from the state and central governments have been deployed to the area to assist in the relief efforts. The teams are working tirelessly to evacuate the trapped people and provide medical assistance to those who were injured in the disaster.
The cloudburst has also caused widespread disruption to communication services, with many areas in the district still without mobile phone connectivity. The state government has set up relief camps in the affected areas, where people are being provided food, shelter, and medical assistance.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the state, with people from all over Jammu and Kashmir coming together to donate and offer aid to the affected families. The state government has also announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
The cloudburst is believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall and the topography of the area. The district of Kishtwar is known for its rugged terrain and is prone to flash floods and landslides during heavy rainfall.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for the state government to take proactive measures to prevent such disasters in the future. The government is already working on a comprehensive plan to prevent and mitigate the impact of disasters in the state, and the recent incident is likely to be a wake-up call for the authorities.
In the meantime, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are coming together to support the affected families and provide aid to those in need. The state government is also working to provide relief and assistance to the affected families, and the situation is being closely monitored by the Centre.
As the rescue operation continues, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are hoping for a speedy recovery and a return to normalcy. The incident serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
