News Brief
At Least Seven Killed, Many Injured After Cloudburst, Landslide In J&K’s Kathua District
(Representative Photo)
At least seven people lost their lives and many others sustained injuries following separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said on Sunday (17 August), NDTV reported.
Five people repoprtedly lost their lives due to flooding caused by a cloudburst in Jodh Ghati, while two persons were killed in a landslide in Janglote.
Both incidents occurred during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Member of Parliament from Udhampur, said that critical infrastructure had also been impacted.
"A railway track, the National Highway-44 and a police station were also damaged in the cloudburst," he posted on X, adding that "the civilian administration, military and paramilitary have swung into action" and the "situation is being continuously monitored."
Singh also extended his condolences, saying, "My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased."
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed immediate relief and rescue operations.
The statement added, “He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance.”
In the wake of the disaster, the Kathua administration issued a weather advisory, warning of "heavy to very heavy rainfall" across the district. Residents were urged to avoid rivers, streams, hilly stretches and other landslide-prone areas.
"Due to heavy rainfall, water levels can rise rapidly, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides," the District Information Centre cautioned in a public notice.
The Ujh river is reportedly flowing close to the danger mark, raising further concerns.
This incident follows the devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar earlier in the week, where over 50 people were killed and scores injured during the Machail Mata pilgrimage.
