Catastrophic flooding and landslides in Indian Kashmir leave 60 dead and 100 still unaccounted for
Heavy Floods and Landslides Strike Indian Kashmir and Uttarakhand
India has been hit by two significant natural disasters in the Himalayas within a short timeframe. The first, a cloudburst in the remote Chositi village of the Kishtwar district in Indian Kashmir, has resulted in at least 44 deaths, dozens missing, and hundreds rescued. The second disaster occurred in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where a landslide engulfed a village, causing the loss of numerous lives.
The disaster in Chositi, a remote Himalayan village and last accessible motor village on the route of an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a high-altitude shrine, was primarily triggered by torrential rains and a cloudburst. This caused flash floods and landslides that have affected multiple pilgrims traveling on the pilgrimage route, leading to the suspension of the pilgrimage scheduled from July 25 to early September.
The affected areas include not only Chositi but also several other parts of Jammu and Kashmir where heavy rains have triggered a flood-like situation, damaging infrastructure such as bridges.
Rescue efforts have been ongoing since the incidents, with initial rescue carried out by villagers and local officials, followed by the deployment of police, disaster management teams, and personnel from Indian military and paramilitary forces. At least 200 people have been brought to safety, with around 50 seriously injured being treated in hospitals. Additional rescue teams are being sent to reinforce relief operations in the flood-affected region.
In Uttarakhand, a disaster occurred due to heavy rain on Thursday, where floodwaters washed away pilgrims who had gathered for lunch. Rescue workers are using shovels, ropes, and making makeshift bridges to extract people from the debris. Some of the pilgrims were swept away by the Chenab River.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, acknowledged the challenges posed by these disasters, stating, "Nature has been testing us" due to recent landslides, cloudbursts, and other natural calamities. He made this statement during the country's 79th independence day.
The Machail Yatra is a pilgrimage to the high altitude Himalayan shrine of Machail Mata, one of the manifestations of Goddess Durga. The disaster occurred during the Yatra, leading to its suspension.
Rescue workers in both regions believe that many more individuals might be buried under the debris. They are working tirelessly to find the missing and provide relief to affected communities.
[1] NDTV
[2] The Hindu
[3] The Indian Express
[4] The Times of India
[5] The New Indian Express
World news reports continue to highlight the ongoing rescue efforts in Indian-administered Kashmir and the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where heavy floods and landslides have caused extensive damage and loss of life. Despite initial reports, the East is also seeing the artistic community express their sympathy through various forms, using their canvases to create moving tributes to the victims of these disasters. As the weather continues to remain unpredictable, authorities in affected regions are urging caution and remind citizens to stay informed on weather updates to avoid any potential risks.
