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 claiming the lives of at least 60 people. The disaster also injured over 100 people, with many more feared trapped under the debris.
The news was confirmed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who expressed his condolences to the affected families and assured that a large-scale rescue operation was underway to evacuate those trapped and provide aid to the survivors.
The cloudburst, which occurred at around 2 pm on Thursday, triggered a flash flood in the area, causing widespread destruction and chaos. The village was almost completely inundated, with buildings, roads, and bridges washed away. The heavy rainfall also caused landslides and mudslides, blocking roads and making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the affected areas.
The situation is grim, with many feared trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings and mudslides. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah stated that he believed more than 500 people were still trapped under the debris in Kishtwar.
The rescue operation is being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and the local administration. The teams are working tirelessly to evacuate those trapped and provide aid to the survivors. The Indian Air Force has also been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.
The cloudburst has left hundreds of families homeless, with many forced to take shelter in temporary camps. The local administration has set up relief camps to provide food, shelter, and medical aid to the affected families.
The cloudburst has also caused significant damage to infrastructure in the area. The flash flood has damaged several bridges, roads, and buildings, including a primary school and a health center. The district administration has promised to provide compensation to those affected by the disaster.
The cloudburst is a grim reminder of the devastating impact of natural disasters on communities. It is essential that we take steps to mitigate the effects of such disasters and provide support to those affected.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always been resilient in the face of adversity. In the face of this disaster, they will surely come together to rebuild and recover. The government and relief agencies must work together to provide aid and support to the affected families and ensure that they receive the assistance they need to recover from this disaster.
As the rescue operation continues, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be hoping for a swift and successful recovery. Our thoughts are with the families who have been affected by this disaster and we hope that they will be able to rebuild their lives soon.
