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. The disaster has claimed at least 60 lives, with over 100 people injured, and several more feared trapped under the debris.
The news of the cloudburst was confirmed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who said that the situation is extremely grave. “At least 60 people have died, and over 100 are injured,” he stated. However, the disaster is far from over, as Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah revealed that over 500 people are still trapped under the debris.
The cloudburst occurred in the afternoon, when a massive amount of water suddenly poured down from the hills, causing widespread destruction and flooding in the village. The villagers were caught off guard, leaving them with little chance of escape. The stormwater drains in the area were also overwhelmed, causing the floodwaters to rise rapidly.
The rescue operation is currently underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the local administration working together to rescue those trapped. The teams are using heavy machinery and equipment to clear the debris and search for survivors.
According to reports, the cloudburst was triggered by heavy rainfall in the region, which caused the nearby rivers to overflow. The floodwaters swept through the village, destroying homes and buildings, and washing away everything in their path.
The district administration has set up relief camps in the area, where the injured are being treated and the affected families are being provided with food and shelter. The government has also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹50,000 to the families of those who have lost their lives in the disaster.
The cloudburst has also caused widespread damage to infrastructure and property, with many roads and bridges washed away. The power supply has been disrupted, and communication networks are down in some areas.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to search for survivors and recover bodies from the debris. The government has assured that all possible efforts are being made to rescue those trapped and provide aid to the affected families.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are no strangers to natural disasters, having faced numerous floods and landslides in the past. However, the scale of this disaster is unprecedented, and the government and relief agencies are working tirelessly to respond to the crisis.
The cloudburst is a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective emergency response systems in place. It also highlights the vulnerability of rural communities to natural disasters and the need for greater investment in disaster risk reduction and management.
As the rescue operation continues, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are coming together to support those affected by the disaster. Donations are pouring in from across the country, and volunteers are rushing to the affected areas to help with the relief efforts.
The government has also sought the assistance of the Central Government, and a team of officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs has been dispatched to the area to assess the situation and provide support.
In the face of such a devastating disaster, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are showing remarkable resilience and solidarity. As the rescue operation continues, the world is watching with bated breath, hoping that the worst will soon be over, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir can begin the long and difficult journey of rebuilding their lives.
