The disasters struck Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh and Bagra village in Janglote during heavy overnight rainfall, causing water levels to rise and submerging several low-lying areas in the district
Workers stand near boulders during a search and rescue operation after flash flood triggered by cloudburst, at Chisoti village of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday. PIC/PTI
Seven members of four families, including five children, lost their lives in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir early on Sunday, officials said.
The disasters struck Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh and Bagra village in Janglote during heavy overnight rainfall, causing water levels to rise and submerging several low-lying areas in the district, they added.
The Kathua cloudburst comes just three days after a similar flash flood triggered by a cloudburst hit Chisoti village in Kishtwar district on August 14, leaving 60 dead and over 100 injured, reported PTI.
Officials stated that five people, including a man and his two young sons, died in Jodh Ghati after the cloudburst severed access to the village and damaged several mud houses. In the Bagra village of Janglote, a mother-daughter pair were killed in a landslide caused by the rains.
As reported by PTI, the Army evacuated six injured individuals from Jodh Ghati and brought them to nearby hospitals.
"Indian Army columns on the ground in Kathua, rescuing families, giving hope, food & care after the cloudburst," Rising Star Corps said in a post on X.
The post included images of soldiers assisting affected residents and moving them to safety.
Officials identified the deceased as Surmu Din (32) and his sons Fanu (6) and Shedu (5), along with Zulfoon (15) and Tahu (2) from Jodh Ghati, and Renu Devi (39) and her daughter Radhika (9) from Janglote, reported PTI.
The injured were identified as Surmu Din’s wife Gogli Begum (26) and daughter Nageena (3 months), as well as Habib Din’s wife Karoon Begum (26) and daughters Rafia Begum (4), Aisha Begum (6), and Parveen Akhter (8).
A social media video showed collapsed mud houses of the victims, with survivors trying to pull a partially buried girl from the rubble and frantically searching for missing family members, reported PTI.
The landslide caused by heavy rains also affected Changda villages under Kathua police jurisdiction and Dilwan-Hutli in the Lakhanpur police station area, though no significant damage was reported.
Continuous rainfall has led to a sharp rise in water levels across most water bodies, with the Ujh River nearing the danger mark. Several low-lying areas have been submerged, and floodwaters have entered homes and shops, officials said.
As reported by PTI, the district administration is closely monitoring the situation and has advised residents to stay away from rivers and other water bodies. Police in Kathua urged people, particularly in hilly regions, to remain indoors and avoid water bodies due to the risk of flash floods amid heavy rains.
"For any emergency please contact the nearest Police Station or call on helpline numbers: 9858034100 or 112," the police said, reported PTI.
Train services along the Jammu-Pathankot rail line have been disrupted following the cloudburst, prompting authorities to cancel local trains and short-terminate others.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the Kathua cloudburst and assured full support from the government, reported PTI.
"Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. Assured every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K," Shah wrote on X.
Sinha, Abdullah, and Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incidents, reported PTI.
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police and administration. I have directed 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," the Lt Governor said in a post on X.
The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia relief for the deceased from the CM’s Relief Fund.
In a post shared by the office of the Chief Minister on X, Abdullah said the assistance is aimed at providing immediate relief and supporting affected families in rebuilding their lives.
"The Chief Minister, expressing deep concern for the lives and property affected by the recent cloudburst in Kathua, has announced ex-gratia assistance from the CM's Relief Fund, in addition to SDRF support," the post read, reported PTI.
The relief package includes Rs 2 lakh for each deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those severely injured, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.
As reported by PTI, the Chief Minister also approved Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged houses, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged houses, and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged houses.
Abdullah conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured them that all necessary assistance would be provided.
Singh stated that civilian administration, military, and paramilitary forces have mobilised to carry out rescue and relief operations in Kathua.
"Spoke to SSP Kathua Sh. Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in the Janglote area," Singh wrote on X, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, the weather department has forecast light to moderate rain and thunderstorms in many areas, with heavy showers expected at some places in Jammu division, especially Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, and Kathua districts. Moderate to heavy showers are also expected in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban until August 19.
(With inputs from PTI)
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