At least seven people were killed and five others injured in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday. The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote amid heavy overnight rains in the district.
According to officials, five people lost their lives in Jodh Ghati after it was struck by a cloudburst, which also cut off access to the village and damaged several houses. In a separate incident, two people were killed in a rain-triggered landslide at the Janglote area.
District Development Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, along with senior civil and police officials, rushed to the spot to oversee rescue and relief operations. Five persons were evacuated to the hospital from Jodh Ghati, where a joint rescue operation by police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local volunteers are continuing.
We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J-K: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday assured that the Central government is closely monitoring the situation. Shah assured full support from the government and said rescue operations are underway with help from the local administration and NDRF teams.
"Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. Assured every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K," Shah said.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the civilian administration, military and paramilitary forces have swung into action to carry out rescue and relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, where four persons have died in a cloudburst.
"Spoke to SSP Kathua Sh. Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in the Janglote area," Singh wrote on X.
He further said, "Four casualties have been reported. In addition, damage has occurred to the railway track, National Highway, while Police Station Kathua has also been affected."
The civilian administration, military and paramilitary forces have swung into action, he said, adding the situation is being continuously monitored. "My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased," he added.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The LG further said that he had briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police and administration
"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 Ji on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police & administration," he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the administration to carry out relief, rescue and evacuation measures to ensure safety of people. "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. It said the chief minister has directed the administration to carry out immediate relief, rescue and evacuation measures to ensure the safety and support of affected families.
Landslides hit Bagard and Changda villages
As per the officials, landslides were also reported in Bagard and Changda villages under Kathua police station limits, as well as in the Dilwan-Hutli area of Lakhanpur police station, though no major damage was reported there.
Heavy rainfall has caused a sharp rise in water levels across several water bodies, with the Ujh river flowing close to the danger mark. The district administration said it is monitoring the situation closely and urged people to stay away from water bodies for their safety.
Jammu-Pathankot National Highway damaged
The continuous torrential rain has disrupted life in the Kathua district. The situation has worsened due to waterlogging and landslides at many places. The biggest impact has been seen on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, where fast-flowing water damaged a part of the highway.
According to local people, due to the sudden flow of fast water, some parts of the highway were on the verge of being washed away, severely disrupting traffic. Long queues of vehicles have been seen on the route for several hours.
As soon as the information was received, the administration and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) teams reached the spot, and efforts are on to restore the route as soon as possible by repairing the damaged part. Officials said that arrangements for an alternative route are also being made so that the stranded passengers can get relief.
Here, due to continuous rain, many low-lying areas of Kathua have been flooded, due to which people are facing a lot of trouble. There are also reports of damage to houses and farms in rural areas.
The administration has appealed to people not to leave their homes unnecessarily and to stay in safe places. Also, they have been asked to contact the helpline numbers in case of an emergency.
(Input: Rahi Kapoor)
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