Intense rainfall has triggered devastating flash floods in a Himalayan village in Indian-administered Kashmir, leaving at least 34 people dead and 35 injured.
Pankaj Kumar Sharma, the District Commissioner of Kishtwar, told AFP on Thursday that 34 bodies have been recovered so far, and there are concerns that more casualties may be found.
Jitendra Singh, a Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, said that opposition leader and local legislator Sunil Kumar Sharma informed him about the severe rainfall, after which he contacted the district administration. Singh described the situation as “extremely severe cloudburst rainfall, capable of causing significant fatalities.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered police, army, and disaster management teams to intensify rescue operations. On social media, he expressed deep shock over the flash floods in Kishtwar, offered condolences to the bereaved families, and wished speedy recovery for the injured.
Sources: AFP, NDTV.