Kathua, August 17:
A devastating cloudburst struck Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh area of Kathua district late Saturday night, triggering massive flash floods. Around the same time, a landslide hit Janglote village, worsening the disaster. Together, the twin incidents have left at least seven people dead and several others injured, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Casualties
Five people were killed in Jodh Ghati after sudden floods swept through houses.
Two others lost their lives in Janglote when a landslide buried parts of a settlement.
At least five to six people are injured, with some admitted to district hospitals in Kathua.
Damage Report
The cloudburst and flooding damaged several homes, cut off local roads, and affected vital infrastructure.
Floodwaters submerged Railway Bridge-43 between Kathua and Budhi, disrupting train services. Several trains have been diverted or canceled.
Parts of National Highway-44 were also damaged, affecting vehicular traffic.
A local police station was inundated.
Rescue & Relief
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, and local police have been deployed. Operations are underway to clear debris, rescue stranded residents, and restore connectivity.
Authorities have issued warnings to locals to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone zones, as continuous rainfall is raising the water level of the Ujh river.
Leaders React
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured full support for relief and rehabilitation.
