What Measures Are Being Taken in Response to the Kathua Cloudburst?

Jammu, Aug 17 (NationPress) The Indian Army has taken a leading role in the rescue and relief operations on Sunday in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, following flash floods caused by a cloudburst in the Ghati area, which tragically resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left many others injured.

The Army's Rising Star Corps reported on X, “Indian Army units are active on the ground in #Kathua — providing aid to families, offering hope, food, and care after the #Cloudburst.”

Images shared by the Army depicted soldiers aiding the injured, transporting them to safety for timely medical assistance.

In addition, the White Knight Corps, based in Nagrota, also announced on X, “Post-cloudburst at #ChisotiVillage, #Kishtwar, troops of #WhiteKnightCorps quickly mobilised for rescue and relief operations. Our focus is on saving lives and assisting survivors. The search for the missing continues, and relief supplies, medical teams, and rescue equipment have been dispatched to the site. We Serve, We Protect.”

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed that helicopters have been deployed for the expedited evacuation of injured individuals from the disaster site to hospitals.

He provided an update on X regarding the Kathua cloudburst, stating that helicopter services have been coordinated to transport the injured to suitable medical facilities.

“Six injured individuals have been airlifted for treatment at Mamoon, Pathankot, which is the nearest location. DIG Police, Sh Shiv Kumar Sharma, along with his team, is present at the scene and maintaining communication with me. Additional assistance will be arranged as necessary,” he wrote on X.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, offering all necessary support from the Central government for the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in Kathua.

He noted on X, “I spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir concerning the cloudburst in Kathua. Local administration and NDRF teams are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations at the site.”

“I assured them of complete support from the Modi government. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in J&K,” he added.

Reports indicate that at least four people lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries after a cloudburst impacted Kathua district during the night between Saturday and Sunday, with officials confirming that a rescue operation is currently in progress in the affected regions.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was the first to relay information regarding the Kathua cloudburst on X, stating, “I have spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving reports of a cloudburst in the Janglote area. Four casualties have been confirmed. There has also been damage to the railway track, National Highway, and the Kathua police station.”

The Chief Minister's office conveyed that CM Omar Abdullah expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by landslides in various areas of District Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries.

“He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the swift recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance. The Chief Minister has instructed the administration to implement immediate relief, rescue, and evacuation measures to guarantee the safety and support of affected families,” the CMO stated.

The district administration has issued a weather alert, warning of “heavy to very heavy rainfall” throughout the district and advising the public to avoid water bodies.

This marks the second cloudburst to strike Jammu and Kashmir within a span of four days.

On August 14, a significant cloudburst affected Chashoti village in the Padder subdivision of Kishtwar district. So far, 65 bodies have been recovered, and over 100 individuals have been rescued in the Chashoti cloudburst incident.

Additionally, families have reported 75 individuals missing, although locals and eyewitnesses suggest that hundreds may have been swept away by flash floods and buried under debris. Among those who perished were two members of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and a Special Police Officer (SPO) from the local police, officials confirmed.

The tragedy struck Chashoti, the last accessible village en route to the Machail Mata temple.