In Kishtwar district, a cloudburst killed at least seven people and flooded multiple regions in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. As of this writing, 19 people are still unaccounted for, while five others are in critical condition. Officials said that a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had been dispatched to the scene to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
As the clouds rolled in, they burst over Honzar, a village in Kishtwar, J&K. The cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the village, which resulted in the deaths and injuries. Three State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are about to be deployed, officials confirmed earlier on Wednesday. Two columns of the Indian Army were rushed to the disaster site to assist the civil administration in rescue operations.
Manoj Sinha, the lieutenant-governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir, told news agencies, “An SDRF team is waiting to be airlifted at Jammu while two SDRF teams are on stand-by. An NDRF team from Punjab has been rushed for rescue and relief operations.”
Due to heavy rains, the Jammu and Kashmir police had to call off rescue operations later on Wednesday, according to ANI. Indian Army continued its relief efforts and provided food rations for the villagers.
“Seven dead bodies have been recovered, and 17 people have been rescued so far, according to the authorities. Among those rescued, five suffered critical injuries. Still, at least 19 people are unaccounted for “Billa is Doda’s deputy inspector general of police. As a result of unsuitable weather conditions, rescue teams are experiencing delays in reaching the victims of the natural disaster.
For those who lost their lives in the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced an ex-gratia payment of 5 lakh each.
There were no casualties reported from Amarnath in south Kashmir in a separate incident. During this time, two State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) teams are stationed in the disaster-hit area near the cave to provide assistance. Ganderbal has sent a second SDRF team.
Amit Shah, the union’s home minister, has taken stock of the cloudburst situation in Jammu and Kashmir, according to reports.
