J&K: Five dead, many injured as heavy rain triggers flash flood in Kathua
Officials said that flash flood triggered early this morning due to overnight heavy rain in the Kathua district.
As per information received, five people have died and many have been injured in parts of the district due to the tragedy, they said.
"There are also reports of cloudbursts in the upper reaches of the Ghati area," they said, adding that heavy rain caused flash floods, causing damage to houses and other infrastructural structures.
Moreover, railway tracks and stretches of the Jammu–Kathua National Highway in Janglot and adjoining areas have also suffered damage, officials said.
They said, "the roads were waterlogged and the flood water has also entered many houses in the old city of Kathua."
They added that teams of Police and Army along with SDRF have been pressed into service and rescue operations are launched to reach out the affected families.
'The injured are being rescued and shifted to the hospital,' adding that a helicopter requisition has also been made to evacuate them.
The injured were identified as Karoom Begum, 26, Rafia Begum (four), Arshea Begum (six), Parveen Akhtar, (eight), Gogli Begum (26) and Nageena (3 months).
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh posted on X, "Spoken to SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area. Four casualties were reported. In addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected."
The civilian Administration, Military and Paramilitary have swung into action and the situation is being continuously monitored, he said, and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a post on X, said, '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 and administration, he said, adding, 'I have directed the Senior Civil and Police Officials to coordinate and execute rescue and aid efforts in the affected areas and ensure on-site medical assistance. My thoughts are with bereaved families and praying for the swift recovery of those injured.'
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to carry out relief, rescue and evacuation measures to ensure the safety of people in cloudburst and landslide-hit Kathua district.
Meanwhile, the MeT Department has predicted low to moderate flash flood risk in Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Udhampur till August 18.
The Meteorological Department said that there will be heavy rains for the next three days across the Jammu and Kashmir region.
There is a high risk of landslides in hilly areas and even possibilities of cloudbursts in vulnerable zones, officials said.
In an advisory, people are asked to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and avoid going near water bodies.
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