The North News
Jammu, August 17
At least 17 people have died while many missing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said. The incident occurred in Chishoti village of Paddar sub-division, near the Machail Mata temple, where a large number of devotees had gathered for a religious pilgrimage. Witnesses said tents and temporary shelters were swept away when water gushed through the area.
Several people remain missing, and rescue teams are struggling to reach the site as roads have been washed away. Officials said half of the village has been destroyed, with heavy rain and landslides blocking access routes. Cloudburst reports have also emerged from Rajouri and Mendhar districts. Thousands of pilgrims are believed to be stranded along the Machail Mata Yatra route.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah told local media that climate change was increasing the risk of such disasters. “With global warming, there is danger everywhere,” he said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and army units are involved in rescue operations. Helicopters have been deployed, but bad weather and landslides are slowing relief efforts. Some teams are proceeding on foot to reach stranded people.
Heavy rainfall has lashed Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts over the past two weeks, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in the region.
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