Cloud bursts hit J&K, Ladakh and Himachal killing 17, rescue operations on for missing persons

The monsoons have hit the nation and it has created chaos in several states. In fact, many states across India have been witnessing flash floods due to continuous downpours. A series of cloudbursts that struck different parts of the Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday reportedly killed 17 and 24 others missing, as per reports from news agencies.

Adding to the vows, Jammu and Kashmir's Gulabgarh area in Kishtwar district witnessed a cloudburst on Wednesday morning which has taken the state by a shock. According to media reports, so far seven people have lost their lives in the cloudburst while many people continue to be reported missing.

Cloud bursts hit J&K, Ladakh and Himachal

The cloudburst took place around 4.30 am and had damaged around eight houses in the district. While the rescue operations are underway, the Jammu police have also reported that as many as 17 people have been rescued so far.

According to officials familiar with the matter, as many as 19 people are still missing, while five remain critically injured. A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been rushed to the site for rescue and relief operations, officials added.

Earlier on Wednesday, two columns of the Indian Army were rushed to the disaster site to assist the civil administration in rescue operations, while officials confirmed that three teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are about to be deployed.

The rescue operations had to be halted later by the Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday due to heavy rains, news agency ANI reported. However, the Indian Army continued its relief operations and made provisions for meals and rations for the disaster-stricken village.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar.

Union home minister Amit Shah has taken stock of the cloudburst situation in Jammu and Kashmir and has been personally keeping in touch with the authorities there, reports said.

Meanwhile, two cloudbursts hit Sangra and Khangral areas of Kargil in Ladakh on Tuesday evening, causing damage to a mini hydro power project. A dozen residential houses and standing crops have been destroyed. No loss of life was reported in the twin cloudbursts, officials told PTI.

Stay tuned with the newstrack to get fastest updates. Click @englishnewstrack to follow us on Facebook and @newstrackmedia to follow on Twitter.