At least 60 killed, several trapped after cloudburst in J&K
In a devastating incident, a massive cloudburst struck Chashoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the loss of at least 60 lives and injuring over 100 people. The cloudburst, which occurred at around 1:30 pm, caused widespread destruction and triggered flash floods in the area, leaving many people trapped under the debris.
According to reports, the cloudburst caught the villagers off guard, leaving them with little time to react or escape. The heavy rainfall caused a massive landslide, which buried several houses and buildings under the rubble, resulting in the loss of many lives.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the tragic news, stating that at least 60 people had died in the incident. He also expressed concern about the fate of many others who are still trapped under the debris, estimating that over 500 people may be stuck.
“We have lost at least 60 lives, and over 100 people are injured,” said Omar Abdullah. “I believe more than 500 people are still trapped under the debris in Kishtwar.”
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah corroborated the Chief Minister’s statement, adding that the situation is extremely critical. “We are doing everything we can to rescue those trapped under the debris,” he said. “It’s a very difficult situation, and we are working hard to ensure that everyone is rescued safely.”
The cloudburst also damaged several bridges and roads in the area, making it challenging for rescue teams to reach the affected villages. The Indian Air Force has been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts, with helicopters being used to evacuate trapped people and deliver essential supplies to the affected areas.
The rescue operation is ongoing, with teams of rescue workers, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the local administration, working tirelessly to evacuate those trapped under the debris.
The cloudburst has left many families bereaved, with entire villages affected by the disaster. The Indian government has announced financial assistance to the families of the affected, and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also pledged support to the affected communities.
The incident has also raised concerns about the preparedness of the local administration to deal with such disasters. While the cloudburst was unexpected, experts have pointed out that the district administration should have been better prepared to respond to the crisis.
As the rescue operation continues, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting with bated breath for news of their loved ones who are still trapped under the debris. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective emergency response systems.
