Kishtwar cloudburst: J&K CM briefs PM Modi, says calamity claimed 60 lives; rescue operations on

Search and rescue work underway after a cloudburst in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir (PTI image)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday informed that he has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the devastating cloudburst in a remote village in Kishtwar district that has claimed 60 lives and injured more than 100.

"I just received a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I briefed him about the situation in Kishtwar and the steps being taken by the administration," Abdullah wrote in a post on X.

He said his government and the people hit by the tragic cloudburst are grateful for the prime minister's support and all the assistance provided by the Centre.

Earlier, addressing an Independence-Day function at the Bakshi Stadium here, Abdullah said at least 60 people have lost their lives and more than 100 have been injured in the tragic incident that occurred on Thursday.

He said it needs to be ascertained if there was any lapse on the administration's part as "we already knew about the weather (forecast)".

In his first Independence-Day speech after taking over as the chief minister of the Union Territory in October last year, Abdullah started his address by expressing his sympathies for the bereaved families of Kishtwar.

"This is a joyous day for the people of the country, which is observing Independence Day today, but at the same time, the loss of lives in a cloudburst is heartbreaking. According to the information received, some 60 people have lost their lives and many more are missing. We do not know their exact figure," he said.

Abdullah said he would like to take the opportunity to convey his condolences to those who have lost their near ones in the tragic incident.

"I would also like to pray for those who have been injured that they get well as soon as possible," he said, assuring the affected people that there will be no shortage of help from the government.

However, the chief minister said in the coming days, "we will have to figure out why this happened. Was there any lapse on the part of the administration, because we already had a weather forecast (talking about the possibility of heavy rains and flash floods)." "Could we have taken more steps from the government and the administration to save these precious lives? We have to make ourselves accountable on this account," he said.

Rescue operations underway

The rescue personnel also created a makeshift bridge in the affected area to speed up the rescue operation and establish contact with the cut-off area.

Victims of the incident who are now being treated at the district hospital recounted their harrowing experiences of being buried and narrowly escaping death.

Putul, who was injured during the cloudburst, said, "...The entire mountain collapsed, and we couldn't understand what happened... Chaos broke out everywhere. I was not buried because I was standing on the rock... I can't find many of my family members. I am still trying to locate them. I don't know anything..."

A victim named Rakesh Sharma, who was also seeking treatment in the District hospital, also recounted his experience and said, "We ate prasad at langar. We were just about to cross the street when a sudden noise occurred... We saw debris falling down. When everyone started shouting 'Bhaago Bhaago,' we tried to run... As I tried to save my child, debris pressed against me, causing me to fall, and I was buried... We were saved because a large piece of wood fell on us... At least 60-70 people might still be buried... Kishtwar people are very kind; they helped me with clothes and food..."

(With agency inputs)