J-K: Death Toll In Kathua Cloudburst Rises To 7, Rescue Ops Underway As Remote Village Cut Off
Days after cloudburst wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar, heavy rain triggered another cloudburst in the Kathua district. As many as seven people were killed and several others injured as the cloudburst hit a remote village in the district, burrying houses under rubble and floodwaters.
The cloudburst struck Jod Ghati in Kathua's Rajbagh area during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, following heavy overnight rains in the district. It cut off access to the remote village and damaged land and property. Rescue operations are underway.
A portion of the Jammu Pathankot National Highway was damaged by debris and a part of the National Highway was also closed.
Following the cloudburst, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh spoke to SSP Kathua and said that the situation is being continuously monitored. In a post on X, the Union Minister said that the cloudburst damaged railway track, national highway, and Kathua police station.
"Spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area. 4 Casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected," Singh wrote in a post on X.
"The civilian Administration, Military and Paramilitary have swung into action. The situation is being continuously monitored. My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased," he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the loss of lives in the Kathua cloudburst. He ordered immediate relief measures for those affected.
"Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and damage caused by landslides in several parts of Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed four lives and left many injured.“He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance,” the office of the chief minister said on X.
Meanwhile, LG Manoj Sinha also took to X to express grief and stated that he briefed Home Minister Amit Shah on the rescue and relief operations.
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police & administration," he wrote on X.
Officials said that landslides also hit Bagard and Changda villages under the jurisdiction of Kathua police station and Dilwan-Hutli in Lakhanpur police station area. However, there was no major report of damage.
The heavy rain in the region has led to a sugnifcant increase in the level in most water bodies with the Ujh river already flowing near the danger mark.
Bodies of four persons were recovered and the six injured were rescued and shifted to hospital. The district administration is closely watching the situation and have urged people to stay away from water bodies for their safety.
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