Officials said that the death toll may increase as 120 people have been rescued so far, out of which 46 are said to be in critical condition. Officials said that a massive relief and rescue operation is being carried out.
जम्मू-कश्मीरः किश्तवाड़ में बादल फटने की घटना में मरने वालों की संख्या 46 हुई, कई लापता
38 people, including two CISF jawans, have died in a flash flood caused by cloudburst in a remote hilly village in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. While many people are still feared trapped. Officials said that the death toll may increase, as so far 120 people have been rescued, out of which 38 are said to be in critical condition. Officials said that a large-scale relief and rescue operation is being carried out in which the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, army and local volunteers are cooperating.
Officials said that this disaster occurred between 12 noon and 1 pm in Chashoti village on the way to Machail Mata temple. At the time of the accident, a large number of people had gathered for the Machail Mata Yatra. To reach the Machail Mata temple, situated at an altitude of nine and a half thousand feet, devotees can reach Chashoti village by vehicle only, after which they have to travel 8.5 kilometers on foot.
Machail Mata Mandir Yatra suspended
Chashoti village is around 90 km from Kishtwar town. A langar (community kitchen) set up for devotees here was the worst hit by the incident. The cloudburst triggered flash floods and swept away several buildings, including shops and a security post. Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma immediately dispatched rescue teams after the disaster and personally rushed to the site along with the Senior Superintendent of Police to monitor the operation.
Officials said the annual yatra to the temple has been suspended following the incident and authorities have rushed to the site to focus on all rescue operations and carry out a massive rescue and relief operation. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been rushed to Kishtwar from Udhampur. Officials said the flash floods in the densely populated settlement at the foot of the hill have affected several houses.
Kharge expressed grief, appealed for better relief operation
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of several people due to cloudburst in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir and called upon the local party workers to help in all possible relief and rescue operations. Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, wrote on ‘X’, “Extremely saddened by the loss of many lives in the horrific tragedy of cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and I express my deepest condolences to each of them. My condolences and prayers are with the injured and those who are searching for their missing family members.” He said, “I urge the authorities to involve more teams of NDRF and armed forces for better relief and rehabilitation efforts. In this critical situation, Congress workers should help people in every possible way.”
Rahul Gandhi appeals to Congress workers to help people
Rahul Gandhi posted on ‘X’, “The news of many people dying and many missing due to the devastation caused by cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir is very sad. I express my deepest condolences to the affected families and hope that the missing people are found soon.” The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, “The administration is requested to speed up the relief and rescue operations. Congress leaders and workers are requested to cooperate with the administration and help the needy in every possible way.”
Helpline number released to help people
Meanwhile, the Jammu Divisional Commissioner’s Office has released a helpline number to help the affected people. So far 38 people have died in this disaster, while more than 120 people have been injured. The Jammu Divisional Commissioner’s Office on Thursday released a helpline number to help the affected people after the cloudburst incident in Kishtwar. He said that the administration has started immediate action after the cloudburst incident in Chashoti area of Jammu and Kashmir. Helpline numbers have been issued for rescue and relief operations. Divisional Commissioner’s Office, Jammu (0191-2478993), District Control Room, Kishtwar (01995-259555), (9482217492) and PCR, Kishtwar (99061-54100) can be contacted for help.
Jammu Zone IGP Bhimsen Tuti said that rescue operations are going on in Kishtwar. 75 people are being treated in hospitals. The Meteorological Department has predicted that the weather will remain the same for the next few days. Heavy rains and cloudburst incidents are expected. I would appeal to everyone to take all precautions.
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