A massive cloudburst triggered flash floods at Chositi area in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar on Thursday.
The incident took place at the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. As per reports, 15 people are feared dead in the incident.
"Rescue Operations have been started," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma.
Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh said, "Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. A massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made."
J&K LG Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the cloudburst incident and his office posted a tweet on X, "Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected."
At least 34 killed in Indian Kashmir flood triggered by 'cloudburst'
Powerful torrents driven by intense rain that smashed into a Himalayan mountain village in Indian-administered Kashmir killed at least 34 people on Thursday (Aug 14), a top local government official told AFP.
"We have found 34 dead bodies and rescued 35 injured people," said Pankaj Kumar Sharma, district commissioner of Kishtwar. "There are chances of more dead bodies being found."
An official in Kishtwar district, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said initial reports "suggest around 50 people were washed away" in the flood.
At least 60 people have been killed, and more than 100 are missing, a day after sudden, torrential rain caused floods and landslides in Indian Kashmir, authorities and local media said on Friday .
On Thursday, gushing mudslides and floodwaters overwhelmed the town of Chasoti in Indian Kashmir, washing away pilgrims who had gathered for lunch before climbing up the hill to a popular pilgrimage spot.
Bags, clothes and other belongings, caked in mud, lay scattered amid broken electric poles and mud on Friday, as rescue workers used shovels, ropes and crossed makeshift bridges in an attempt to extricate people out of the debris.
Comment: AFP reports: Update August 15
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