Kathua Cloudburst: Shah, Sinha, Abdullah Respond
Seven dead, five injured in Jammu and Kashmir disaster.
A catastrophic cloudburst and landslides triggered by heavy overnight rains, buried homes under debris, flooded a local police station, and damaged the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and railway tracks. This tragedy follows a deadly cloudburst in Kishtwar district on August 14, which claimed 60 lives and left over 80 missing.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, after speaking with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, assured full central support. “Relief and rescue operations are underway with local administration and NDRF teams deployed.
The Modi government stands firmly with the people of J&K,” Shah posted on X. Sinha, calling the tragedy “mind-numbing,” directed senior officials to coordinate rescue efforts and ensure on-site medical aid, expressing condolences to bereaved families.
Abdullah ordered immediate relief and evacuation measures, emphasizing support for affected families. “The loss of lives in Kathua is heartbreaking. I’ve directed the administration to prioritize rescue and aid,” he said via X. Rescue operations, involving the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, and local volunteers, are battling challenging conditions to save trapped residents and restore access to cut-off areas like Jodh Ghati. The Ujh river, nearing danger levels, has prompted warnings to avoid water bodies.
Also Read: Himachal Flash Floods: 396 Roads Blocked, Homes Destroyed
The district administration is monitoring rising water levels and has urged residents to stay vigilant. With landslides also reported in Bagard, Changda, and Dilwan-Hutli, no further major damage has been noted. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, representing the area, confirmed that military and paramilitary forces are assisting, with helicopter services airlifting the injured to hospitals in Mamoon, Pathankot.
As Kathua reels from this calamity, the region braces for more heavy rains, with the Meteorological Department forecasting potential flash floods and landslides through August 19.
Also Read: Monsoon Mayhem: Himachal Pradesh Reels as Landslides Shut 398 Roads
