Heavy rains in Kashmir have caused flash floods, resulting in at least 56 deaths and many people reported missing.

 SRINAGAR, AUGUST 15 — Torrential rains have caused devastating flash floods in the remote village of Chositi in Kashmir, killing at least 56 people and leaving many others missing, authorities said Thursday. Rescue teams have managed to save around 300 people from the disaster-struck Himalayan village.

The floods and landslides were triggered by a sudden cloudburst in the area. Disaster management official Mohammed Irshad said that at least 80 people were still missing as of Thursday evening, and the number could rise as authorities continue counting. Rescue operations were paused for the night due to ongoing heavy rains, which are expected to continue.

India’s Deputy Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, warned that the disaster could cause significant loss of life. Local official Susheel Kumar Sharma said at least 50 seriously injured people are being treated in nearby hospitals. Many were rescued from streams filled with mud and debris.

Chositi is a remote Himalayan village in Kishtwar district, located on the route of an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a mountain shrine at 3,000 meters (9,500 feet). The village is the last point accessible by vehicles before pilgrims trek about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the shrine. Several pilgrims are feared to be affected, and the pilgrimage, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5, has been suspended. More rescue teams are being sent to the area.

Initial rescue efforts were led by villagers and local officials, later joined by police, disaster management teams, and India’s military and paramilitary forces. Abdul Majeed Bichoo, a 75-year-old local resident, said he saw eight bodies being recovered from the mud, while three horses buried under debris were miraculously rescued alive. He described the village as a “sight of complete devastation,” saying he had never seen such destruction of life and property.

The floods destroyed the main community kitchen for pilgrims, along with dozens of vehicles and motorbikes. More than 200 pilgrims were in the kitchen when the disaster struck. Many homes in the foothills were also damaged or washed away. Photos and videos shared on social media show widespread destruction across the village.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the situation is being closely monitored and offered prayers for those affected. He confirmed that rescue and relief operations are underway and assured that every possible assistance will be provided.

Cloudbursts, sudden intense downpours over small areas, are becoming increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions, which are prone to flash floods and landslides. Experts attribute the rise in cloudbursts partly to climate change, while unplanned development in mountainous areas has worsened the damage. Kishtwar also hosts multiple hydroelectric projects, which experts have warned pose risks to the fragile ecosystem.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

First National Bamboo Conference Happening Now

KHOTANG, February 28 – The First National Bamboo Conference is currently being held in Diktel Bazaar, running from February 27 to March 1. The event was officially opened at the Khotang Multi-Purpose Covered Hall, and an exhibition showcasing various bamboo products is taking place nearby at the Matikore playground. The event is organized mainly by Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality. Even the welcome gate and stage at the venue are built using bamboo. The exhibition features 51 stalls displaying items made from bamboo, along with local agricultural products. Mayor Tirtha Raj Bhattarai shared that traditional Nepali bamboo swings—lingle ping and rote ping—have been set up for entertainment. Over 300 guests from outside the district are attending the conference. During the event, bamboo experts will present 23 papers under the theme: “Where there is bamboo, there is life; where there is life, there is bamboo.” Other co-organizers include the Forest Research and Training Centre (Bab...
Read more

Gold prices keep going up

  Kathmandu, June 18 — Gold prices have been rising in the international market since June 10, and this has also pushed up prices in Nepal. When the market opened today, the price of gold had gone up by Rs 900 per tola (11.66 grams) compared to Tuesday, while silver rose by Rs 65 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold is now being traded at Rs 195,500 per tola, and silver at Rs 2,225 per tola. International reports show that gold is currently priced at 3,393 US dollars per ounce in the global market.
Read more

Dengue cases are spreading rapidly in Chitwan.

Narayangadh (Chitwan), July 20 In the fiscal year 2024/25, a total of 3,889 people were confirmed to have dengue in Chitwan district. According to the Public Health Office, 3,020 of these cases were local residents—1,548 men and 1,472 women. The remaining 869 cases involved people from other districts—412 men and 457 women. Bharatpur Metropolitan City recorded the highest number of cases with 1,171 infections, while Madi Municipality had the fewest, with just 37 cases. One person died from the disease during the year. A total of 17,353 dengue tests were conducted throughout the year. Ram KC, a Vector Control Inspector at the Public Health Office, mentioned that the previous year had 1,831 confirmed cases out of 23,840 tests. Dengue was first detected in Nepal in 2004, in a Japanese tourist visiting Chitwan. The Public Health Office emphasized that the best way to prevent dengue is by protecting yourself from mosquito bites.
Read more