Latest News: Cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar Village Kills 7

A cloudburst was reported in Honjar village in Jammu & kashmir's Kishtwar district few hours back.  Due to this cloudburst at least 7 people were killed while several others are reported to be missing. As per the Authorities, 17 persons have been rescued so far as in the search operation.

5 out of 17 persons rescued are critically injured. The rescue operation is on,” said ADGP Mukesh Singh.

“Around 4am today [Wednesday], a cloud burst over Honjar village in Dacchan area of Kishtwar district. We got reports that 28 people were missing,” he said.

Dacchan is a remote and hilly area in Kishtwar district while Kishtwar town is about 200km from Jammu district. Police chief SSP Shafqat Bhat of Kishtwar District said, “We believe that 30 to 40 people were in the village when the incident took place.”

The SSP further said that bridges on one side of the affected area have been washed away and the river is in spate, adding that the village is around 50km from Kishtwar district headquarters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Centre is closely monitoring the situation. “...in the wake of the cloudbursts in #Kishtwar and #Kargil. All possible assistance is being made available in the affected areas. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being,” he tweeted.

Union home minister Amit Shah said saving as many lives as possible is a priority. “I have spoken to the LG & DGP of Jammu & Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kishtwar. SDRF, Army & local administration are carrying out the rescue operation. NDRF is also reaching there. Our priority is to save as many lives as possible,” he said.

As per the officials, the SDRF team will be augmented from Doda and Udhampur. Other SDRF team is being airlifted by an air force helicopter from Jammu. One team of NDRF and SDRF each from is on standby in Srinagar.

“The area is in the upper reaches of Kishtwar, not accessible by road. Jammu SDRF is on standby. The weather is inclement. One team of SDRF from Srinagar is ready to be airlifted,” said VK Singh.

As per a statement by the Indian Army, “A party of 1-1-20 under Captain Vivek Chauhan ex-Sondar COB 17 RR was launched at 7am. SHO and 07 Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel from Sirsi police station have also been launched.”

Source: Times of India