Jammu: Seven members of four families, including five children, were killed in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday, officials said.
The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Bagra village of Janglote amid heavy overnight rains in the district, leading to increase in the level of water bodies and submerging many low-lying areas, they said.
The cloudburst in Kathua came three days after flash floods triggered by cloudburst struck Chisoti village in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on August 14, leaving 60 people dead and more than 100 injured.
Officials said while five persons, including a man and his two minor sons, lost their lives in Jodh Ghati which was hit by the cloudburst, snapping access to the village and causing damage to several mud houses, a mother-daughter duo lost their lives in landslide triggered by rains at Bagra village of Janglote.
The Army has evacuated six injured persons to hospital from Jodh Ghati.
“Indian Army columns on the ground in Kathua – rescuing families, giving hope, food & care after the cloudburst,” Rising Star corps said in a post of X.
It was also shared pictures of soldiers evacuating the affected people to safety
The officials identified the deceased as Surmu Din (32), his sons Fanu (6) and Shedu (5), Zulfoon (15) and Tahu (2), all residents of Jodh Ghati, and Renu Devi (39) and her daughter Radhika (9) of Janglote.
The injured were identified as Surmu Din’s wife Gogli Begum (26), daughter Nageena (3 months) and Habib Din’s wife Karoon Begum (26) and daughters Rafia Begum (4), Aisha Begum (6) and Parveen Akhter (8), the officials said.
A video on social media showed a couple of collapsed mud-houses belonging to the victims with survivors trying to pull out a half-buried girl from the rubble and frantically searching fir missing persons.
The landslide triggered by rains also hit Changda villages under the jurisdiction of Kathua police station and Dilwan-Hutli in Lakhanpur police station area but there was no major report of damage.
The heavy rains have led to a sharp increase in the level in most of the water bodies with the Ujh river flowing near the danger mark, the officials said, adding several low lying areas were submerged with flood water entering homes and shops.
The district administration is closely watching the situation and has requested people to stay away from water bodies for their safety.
Police in Kathua also asked the people especially living in hilly areas to stay at home and not to move close to the water bodies as there is every apprehension of flash flood owing to heavy rains.
“For any emergency please contact to nearest Police Station or call on helpline numbers: 9858034100 or 112,” the police said.
Train traffic has been disrupted along the Jammu-Pathankot rail line following the cloudburst, prompting authorities to cancel local trains and short-terminate others.
“Deeply anguished” LG briefs Home Minister on rescue and relief operations
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha spoke to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the ongoing rescue and relief operations in rain-triggered landslides-affected areas of Kathua District.
The Lieutenant Governor has expressed his grief and anguish over the loss of lives in the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
He directed the senior Civil and Police Officials to coordinate and execute rescue and aid efforts in the affected areas and ensure on-site medical assistance.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said: “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 and administration. I have directed the Senior Civil and Police Officials to coordinate and execute rescue and aid efforts in the affected areas and ensure on-site medical assistance. My thoughts are with bereaved families and praying for the swift recovery of those injured.” (WITH PTI INPUTS)
CM announces immediate relief for cloud-burst victims in Kathua
Union Home Minister calls CM, assures Centre’s support
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage caused by cloudburst and landslides in several parts of District Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed four lives and left many injured.
The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance to the affected people.
To provide immediate relief, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ex-gratia assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund that would be in addition to the support from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The financial assistance includes: ₹2 lakh for each deceased, ₹1 lakh for those severely injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. For housing damages, ₹1 lakh will be given for fully damaged houses, ₹50,000 for severely damaged houses, and ₹25,000 for partially damaged houses.
The Chief Minister directed the administration to carry out immediate relief, rescue, and evacuation measures on priority to ensure safety of the affected families and to extend full support to them.
He said the government stands firmly with the people in this hour of crisis and assured that all possible steps will be taken to mitigate the suffering of those hit by the calamity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the situation in Kathua and assured all necessary support from the Centre.
The Chief Minister welcomed the Union Home Minister’s assurance and said the joint efforts of the J&K government and the Centre will help provide timely relief and rehabilitation to the affected families.
It is pertinent to mention that only yesterday, the Chief Minister visited the flood-hit Chashoti village in Kishtwar yesterday, which has been devastated by a cloudburst.
He personally assessed the damage, interacted with the affected families, and assured full government support for rehabilitation of affected families.
Kathua disaster: Army presses choppers into rescue operation
The Army on Sunday deployed helicopters and several columns in the cloudburst-hit Jodh Ghati village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said.
The calamity struck the village and Janglote amid heavy overnight rains, leaving seven persons dead.
Several army columns were inducted into the operation in the affected areas to rescue stranded people and evacuate the injured to hospitals, the officials said.
An Army helicopter deployed for rescue operations in Ghatti airlifted 15 people to hospital, they added.
The Dhruv helicopters airlifted injured to a hospital in Pathankot in Punjab.
Troops from Rising Star Corps are working on the ground with police, SDRF and locals to rescue families, providing food and medical care, the officials said.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, who is supervising the operation, said relief and rescue efforts are underway after seven people lost their lives in rain-triggered landslides in the district.
“Heavy rainfall has caused significant damage in Kathua, and unfortunately, we have also lost lives. Five people died and seven were injured, and two more lives were lost in Janglote. We are ensuring the supply of essential items, though connectivity issues persist. Efforts are being made to provide supplies by air,” he said. (PTI)
