Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives caused by rain-triggered landslides in multiple areas of Kathua district on Sunday.
Describing the tragedy as “mind-numbing,” LG Sinha said he had briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
In an X post, he wrote: “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Hon’ble Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah Ji on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police & administration.”
A cloudburst in Kathua has claimed four lives, damaged a railway track, the national highway, and a local police station. Flash floods and a landslide in Jodh village have trapped six people and washed away several connecting roads, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma stated that rescue teams are actively working in Jodh village.
In Kishtwar district, security forces have intensified rescue operations after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14 left around 55 people dead.
Major General APS Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Counter Insurgency Force, Delta, said: “All security forces are trying their best to rescue as many people as possible and provide relief to those affected. The Indian Army was the first to respond and reached the spot within 45 minutes.”
The Indian Army is leading ground operations, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), police, and local administration.
