Kathua: A cloudburst in Kathua district has claimed four lives and caused significant damage, including to a railway track, the national highway, and the local police station. In Jodh village, flash floods and a landslide have trapped six people and washed away several connecting roads, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, stated that rescue teams are already on the ground and operations are ongoing in Jodh village.
Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that police, military, and civil administration teams are conducting rescue operations and closely monitoring the situation. In a post on X, he wrote, “Spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in the Janglote area. Four casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to the railway track, national highway, while Police Station Kathua has been affected.”
He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, adding, “The civilian administration, military, and paramilitary have swung into action. The situation is being continuously monitored. My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Meanwhile, in Kishtwar district, security forces have intensified rescue and relief operations after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14, which left around 55 people dead.
Major General APS Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Counter Insurgency Force, Delta, said, “All security forces are doing their best to rescue as many people as possible from the affected area and provide relief to locals impacted by this disaster. The Indian Army was the first to respond, reaching the site within 45 minutes.”
The rescue operations are being led by the Indian Army, with support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), local police, and administration.
