Jammu, August 17: At least seven people were killed and five others injured in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide triggered by heavy overnight rains in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday, officials said.
The tragedies struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote area, cutting off access to parts of the district and damaging several houses.
According to officials, five people lost their lives in Jodh Ghati when a cloudburst hit the village, while two more died in a landslide at Janglote. A joint rescue operation by police, SDRF, and local volunteers is continuing, and five injured persons have been shifted to hospital.
Landslides were also reported in Bagard, Changda, and Dilwan-Hutli villages, though no major damage was recorded. The heavy rains have swollen most water bodies, with the Ujh river flowing close to the danger mark.
District Development Commissioner Rajesh Sharma rushed to the affected sites along with senior officers to oversee relief and rescue operations.
Expressing grief, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended condolences to the bereaved families and directed officials to ensure immediate relief and evacuation measures. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Union Minister said the civil administration, Army, and paramilitary forces have joined hands in rescue and relief efforts. “Spoke to SSP Kathua Sh. Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in Janglote,” Singh wrote on X.
The district administration has appealed to people to stay away from water bodies as precautionary measures continue in the rain-hit areas.
UPDATED
