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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Pakistan floods: Over 300 dead, rescue ops on as rains wreck homes, roads
Villages are under water, roads cut off and homes destroyed in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while rescue teams work to save stranded families New Delhi The death toll from flash floods in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has risen to more than 300, news agency PTI reported. Torrential rains and sudden floods hit several districts on Friday, killing over 200 people in just one day. According to Faizi, spokesperson of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the rains, cloudbursts, and floods claimed lives in Bajaur, Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Shangla, Torghar, and Battagram districts. District-wise losses The PDMA reported that a total of 307 people have died so far. • Buner recorded the highest toll with 184 deaths • Shangla lost 36 people, Mansehra 23, Swat 22, Bajaur 21, and Battagram 15 • Lower Dir reported five deaths, while one child drowned in Abbottabad Officials warned that the number may rise further as many people are still missing, PTI reported. Monsoon havoc since June Heavy rains have battered Pakistan since late June, the start of the monsoon season. Floods, landslides, and displacement have hit the northern areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the hardest, particularly in vulnerable and densely populated regions. The floods destroyed roads, bridges, schools, homes, and power installations across several districts. According to PDMA, seven houses were completely destroyed and 38 damaged, mostly in Swat. Three schools were destroyed and another three damaged. Officials have warned that rainfall is expected to continue until August 21 in different parts of KP, Dawn reported. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government declared one day of mourning on Saturday for five army personnel who died when their Mi-17 helicopter crashed during a rescue mission. A notification said the national flag would be flown at half-mast across the province. Rescue efforts in full swing Rescue teams shifted more than 2,000 stranded people, including 300 children, to safety in Buner. Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayyum said helicopters were being used to reach remote areas. He confirmed that Pir Baba Bazaar was submerged, a mosque in Gokand was destroyed, and many animals were swept away, news agency ANI reported. In Mansehra, police rescued seven tourists trapped near Simicsar Lake after heavy rain and landslides cut off the area. Authorities also banned visits to Siren Valley due to rising river levels. Pakistan floods: Travel disruptions Floods and landslides blocked several roads, including the Karakoram Highway in Upper Kohistan. Passengers travelling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan were stranded. In Abbottabad, major roads were flooded, and traffic was paralysed for hours. Vehicles were swept away or damaged by debris and mud. In Lower Dir, more than 25 tourists were stranded in Shahi and later rescued by security forces and district authorities. Several link roads remained closed due to landslides, disrupting travel and even preventing candidates from reaching exam centres, Dawn reported. Power outages in Swat Floodwaters entered the 132kv grid station in Swat, cutting off 41 feeders and suspending electricity across the district. Poles and transformers were also washed away. The federal power minister directed the Peshawar Electric Supply Company to send extra staff, transformers, poles, and machinery to restore power supply quickly. (With agency inputs)
News18
3 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Kishtwar Flash Floods: Search Ops Enter Day 3, J&K CM Visits Chisoti; 60 Dead
Last Updated: Officials said nearly 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, while at least 75 people remain missing. Search and relief work continued for the third straight day on Saturday in Chisoti village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, where a cloudburst earlier this week claimed more than 60 lives and injured over 100. Officials said nearly 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, while at least 75 people remain missing. Locals, however, fear the actual figure could be much higher as scores may have been swept away in the floods and trapped under debris, boulders and logs. Among the confirmed victims are two CISF personnel and a Special Police Officer. The disaster hit Chisoti — the last road-accessible settlement en route to the Machail Mata shrine — around 12:25 pm on August 14, destroying homes, shops, and vital infrastructure. Rescue Push: Authorities have deployed close to a dozen excavators and heavy machinery, backed by NDRF dog squads and specialised equipment, to speed up recovery operations. CM Visits Site: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected area on Saturday. Briefed by Army personnel, he also used a VR headset to gauge the scale of destruction. Air Force Support: The IAF has kept two Mi-17 helicopters and an Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur to assist in relief efforts. Union Minister's Visit: Union Minister Jitendra Singh, accompanied by J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, reached Chisoti late Friday night to assess ongoing operations. Pilgrimage Halted: The annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5, remains suspended for a third day. The 8.5 km trek to the shrine at 9,500 feet starts from Chisoti, about 90 km from Kishtwar town. Final Rites Ongoing: Of the bodies identified, 34 have been handed over to families in Kishtwar, Jammu, Udhampur and Doda districts, with most already cremated. view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:39 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Army leads rescue operations after cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar
The Indian Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police and district administration, is carrying out rescue operations in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district after the devastating flash flood triggered by a cloudburst. Army personnel during the search and rescue operation after the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst at Chasoti village in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. (PTI Photo) A massive cloudburst struck Chasoti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 60 people. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered widespread destruction, causing multiple casualties among yatris and residents. Chief minister Omar Abdullah interacting with local residents at Chasoti village in Kishtwar district on Friday night. (X) Chief minister Omar Abdullah visited Chasoti to assess the damage and received a detailed briefing from army personnel. He also used a virtual reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families. On Friday, Abdullah confirmed that 60 bodies had been recovered so far, while the number of missing people was still being verified. 'Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the administration could have taken any preventive steps when the MeT department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police, and administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground,' Omar Abdullah told reporters. Union minister Jitendra Singh also reached Chasoti late on Friday evening to take stock of the situation. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has been put on standby to support the operations. Two Mi-17 helicopters and an advanced light helicopter have been kept ready at Jammu and Udhampur for deployment if needed. Earlier, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters across the country. 'Nature is testing the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people,' he said from Red Fort.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Sohail Khan Reacts To Massive Cloudburst In Jammu And Kashmir's Kishtwar: "Really Sad"
New Delhi: Actor Sohail Khan has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. What's Happening Sohail spoke to the media about the calamity and called it a heartbreaking incident in a place he fondly remembers from childhood. "Dekho ye to nature ki baat hai and it is very we think about J&K, it feels really sad...I went there as a child, a long time ago. It's such a beautiful place; we all call it paradise, yet something or the other always happens there. Ye khwaish hai sabse ki us jagah ki bhalayi maange... (I urge people to pray for J&K...)" he said. Background A massive cloudburst struck the Chashoti area along the Machail Mata Yatra route on Thursday, triggering flash floods and causing multiple casualties. Rescue operations are ongoing, with injured victims being treated in district hospitals. Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the affected region in Kishtwar late on Friday evening and shared details of the government's swift response. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "The government immediately took cognisance of Modi personally took cognisance of it and monitored it. After that, the equipment was brought here overnight by vehicles. CRPF came here overnight with equipment. Air Force, Indian Army, DG Police, Jammu-Kashmir Police, and today BRO's services have been utilised because they have machines to clear debris from the roads..." He added, "52 bodies have been recovered, of which four bodies have not been identified, while the rest have been identified. Seriously injured patients have been referred outside, with about 52 patients admitted to Jammu Medical College, and those who are more critical will be referred are ongoing. There is no shortage from the government's side. Work is in progress." According to officials, the Indian Air Force has two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur. Flights will begin once weather conditions improve. Rescue teams, including the J-K Police and local volunteers, are continuing relief efforts-offering shelter, medical support and food to those affected. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the spate of natural disasters across the country in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. "Nature is testing the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said. Sohail Khan is an Indian actor, producer, director, and screenwriter known for his work primarily in Hindi cinema. He made his acting debut with Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002), which he also directed and produced. Over the years, he appeared in films like Lakeer, Fight Club, Team: The Force, and Aryan. As a filmmaker, he gained recognition for directing Auzaar (1997), Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and Hello Brother (1999), all featuring his brother Salman Khan. He also produced box office hits like Partner and Jai Ho.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Colours of India at Red Fort; 2,500 cadets and volunteers sit in ‘Naya Bharat' formation
While the prime minister's address began close to 7.30 am, guests drawn from different walks of life had begun to stream into the venue from early hours. Around 2,500 male and female NCC cadets (from Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and volunteers of 'My Bharat' — a youth connect initiative by the government — participated in the celebrations. They were seated on Gyanpath, opposite the ramparts. New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) From Bihar to Maharashtra, guests hailing from different regions of India attended the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort complex here on Friday, many bringing with them their signature cultural elements to the event, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing it as 'mini-India'. Many had come wearing traditional costumes or accessories reflecting the sartorial diversity of the country, while several others wore tricolour-themed clothes. Vedika Konkane, 5, daughter of a paramilitary personnel from Maharshatra, was dressed in a tricolour design frock. 'I really liked the floral petal shower from above (the helicopter),' she told PTI. One of the two Mi-17 helicopters that showered petals on the crowd carried the logo of Operation Sindoor. Sandeep Dherenge, sarpanch at a village in Pune district, attended the I-Day celebrations, along with his wife, and 12 other family members and acquaintances from his home village. They all wore a matching traditional white 'topi' worn by Marathi natives with a tricolour scarf thrown over the shoulders. 'We are 14 people in total. We came a couple of days ago to Delhi to attend the celebrations at the Red Fort. As our native state is known for forts, we felt very happy and proud to be part of our 79th Independence Day event in Delhi,' Dherenge told PTI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations at the Red Fort complex, where he unfurled the national flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Mughal-era monument. The success of Operation Sindoor was the defining spirit at the Red Fort complex here, with special artworks dedicated to India's military action being showcased as part of the celebrations. Operation Sindoor was launched early in May by the Indian armed forces to destroy multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Several Union ministers, various members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials of the armed forces — Army, Navy and Air Force, including many of whom had taken part in Operation Sindoor, also attended the celebrations. Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, shared a picture of him at the event and posted on X, 'Happy Independence Day! Honored to attend the celebration at Red Fort with Indian friends.' Denis Alipov, Russian ambassador to India, said, 'Dear Indian friends, heartiest congratulations to you on the occasion of 79th Independence Day! 'On the anniversary of the milestone of this global history, I wish that all the aspirations of the Indian nation moving ahead on the path of development and public welfare be fulfilled. Jai Hind. Jai Russia,' he said in a post in Hindi. Guddi Kumari, a school teacher hailing from Bihar's Katihar district, attended the celebrations along with his son. Her son took a picture of her as she stood against the backdrop of a large banner of Operation Sindoor that had a bilingual caption — 'Rashtra Pratham Nation First'. 'Every time we married women apply sindoor (vermilion), we invariably also think of Operation Sindoor,' she told PTI. View cutters installed at the complex near the ramparts carried the Operation Sindoor logo in a giant font with a floral artwork around it representing silhouetted images of armed forces personnel symbolising them as guardians of the nation. As many as 2,000 male and female NCC cadets (from Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and 500 'My Bharat' volunteers participated in the celebrations. The cadets and 'My Bharat' volunteers, wearing white or saffron clothes and caps, were seated on Gyanpath, opposite the ramparts and made a 'Naya Bharat' formation. The ones wearing saffron formed the word 'Naya Bharat', while the ones in white provided contrast. 'These cadets have worked very hard in the past two weeks, practising every day from early hours till dawn and beyond, rain or shine,' Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, Director General, NCC, told PTI. He attended the celebrations along with his son. Vidhi Chawla, 14, who studies in class 9 at a school in Delhi, said, 'The idea of 'mini-India' is indeed evident at such an occasion, where people from different places, having different cultures and languages, become one.' Besides, the official invitation cards issued to guests attending the grand event carry the logo of the operation, and a silhouetted image of the iconic Chenab bridge, an engineering icon, depicting the rise of 'Naya Bharat' (new India). 'As the nation is making giant strides towards realising the government's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, the theme of this year's celebrations is 'Naya Bharat'. 'The celebrations will serve as a platform to commemorate the continuing rise of a prosperous, secure and bold 'Naya Bharat' and provide renewed power to surge further ahead on the path to progress,' the defence ministry said on Wednesday. PTI KND ARI SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
