KATHUA, Aug 17 — Four people were killed and six others injured after a cloudburst struck a remote village in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.
The incident took place in Jod Ghati village of Rajbagh during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. According to details received by The Chenab Times, the cloudburst cut off access to the area. A joint team of police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) carried out rescue operations.
“So far, bodies of four persons have been recovered, while six others were rescued in an injured condition and are being shifted to the hospital,” officials said.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on X that he had spoken to Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua, Shobhit Saxena, after receiving information about the incident. “Four casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected. The civilian Administration, Military and Paramilitary have swung into action. The situation is being continuously monitored,” Singh wrote, expressing condolences to the bereaved families.
Officials said heavy rainfall also raised water levels across several rivers, with the Ujh river flowing near the danger mark. Landslides were reported in Bagard and Changda villages under Kathua police station limits, and in the Dilwan-Hutli area of Lakhanpur. No major damage has been reported from these sites.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a post on X, he conveyed condolences to the families of the victims, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and assured necessary assistance.
Authorities have advised people to stay away from water bodies as a precautionary measure.
This incident comes just days after a cloudburst in Chisoti village of Kishtwar district on August 14 that killed at least 60 people and left over 100 injured. Rescue and relief operations there are still underway with support from the army, police, NDRF, SDRF, BRO, civil administration, and local volunteers.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
