Today's Edition
SRINAGAR, KASHMIR (dpa)
A massive cloudburst in India's Jammu and Kashmir region on Thursday triggered a flash flood and landslides, leading to the deaths of at least 23 people and injuries of more than 40, according to officials and news reports.
The rainstorm hit the remote village of Chositi in the Kishtwar district, where people had gathered for an annual pilgrimage to a remote Hindu temple.
The pilgrimage has been suspended and the authorities are focusing on
rescue operations, Pankaj Sharma, deputy commissioner of the Kishtwar district said. Local government sources said the toll could rise as more people are feared trapped in the debris or washed away.
Federal minister and lawmaker from the region, Jitendra Singh, wrote
on X: "A massive cloud burst in the Chositi area, which could result in
substantial casualty."
The inclement weather and the remoteness of the disaster site were
complicating the rescue operations. Units of the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) and the army were on their way to the site, the NDTV news channel reported.
Footage from Chositi showed gushing water, damaged homes and
vehicles, and debris of mud and rock. The flood waters washed away
temporary tent kitchens set up for the pilgrims, NDTV reported.
India's seasonal monsoon rains from June to September are crucial for farmers, but often leave a trail of death and destruction.
