SRINAGAR: At least five persons were killed while several people are believed to be missing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Honzar locality of Dacchan in Kishtwar on Wednesday.
Quoting an official the news agency KNO reported that the flash floods triggered by cloudburst hit residential area, in which several people went missing.
Volunteers of Ababeel, our partner NGO are on their way to Dachhan village which has been hit by the cloudburst. Road & phone Connectivity with the village stands snapped. We shall keep you updated on this. As of now we don't know anything about the extent of damage there.
— SRO-KASHMIR (@sro_kashmir) July 28, 2021
He said that the bodies of four people have been recovered even as heavy rains have been hindering search operation to trace out missing people. Within an hour later, one more was recovered. There are two women of the five bodies recovered so far.
Spoke to senior authorities and district administration. Army and SDRF team working on war footing to rescue people and trace the missing persons. I am continuously monitoring the situation.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) July 28, 2021
SSP Kishtwar, Shafqat Hussain said that as per the witnesses residing there, several people were believed to be missing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in the area.
Distressed to hear about the cloudburst in Kishtwar today. My deepest sympathies with those who have lost their loved ones & prayers for those missing.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 28, 2021
“The exact number of missing people is not known as the situation is very grim in the area,” he said.
He said that teams of Police, Army and SDRF have reached the area and a rescue operation was going on.
Reports reaching from the area said six houses and a ration store were swept away by the cloudburst. Around 25 persons are reported missing, right now. The tragedy took place around 4:30 am.
Officials in Srinagar said a SDRF team is being flown by IAF to the spot and two teas – one each from SDRF and NDRF are ready in Srinagar to be airlifted to speed up the rescue operation.