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Floods

Torrential Rains Trigger Devastating Landslides in Jammu & Kashmir

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Heavy overnight rains caused a two-hour downpour that triggered a series of landslides and flash floods in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and leaving 16 others injured. The disaster struck between 4am and 5.30am, affecting villages in the Jodh Ghati and Janglote areas. The flash floods, exacerbated by the incessant rainfall, destroyed houses, commercial establishments, and damaged a railway bridge, washing away a road bridge and damaging a portion of the National Highway 44.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least seven people were killed in the landslides and flash floods, including five children, a woman, and a man.
  • The deceased were identified as Renu Devi, 39, her daughter Radhika, 9, Surmu Din, 30, his sons Fanu 6 and Shedu 5, Tahu, 2, and Zulfan, 15, and a family of five including two women and three children who were buried in a landslide.
  • The landslides and flash floods damaged a railway bridge over the Sahar Khad rivulet in Jasrota, washed away the Dhanni-Bhakta road bridge, and damaged a portion of the National Highway 44.
  • The Sahar Khad rivulet and Ujh river were in spate due to heavy overnight rains in upper reaches, causing widespread damage.
  • At least 96,000 cusecs of water were recorded in the Ujh river on Sunday morning.
  • The torrential rains also caused detention of rail traffic and slowed down movement of trains.

Statistics:

  • At least 7 people killed in the landslides and flash floods
  • 16 people injured
  • 5 children, a woman, and a man among the deceased
  • A family of 7 buried in a landslide
  • 96,000 cusecs of water recorded in the Ujh river on Sunday morning
  • Railway bridge over Sahar Khad rivulet damaged
  • Dhanni-Bhakta road bridge washed away
  • National Highway 44 damaged

Sources:

  • Jammu, Aug. 18 -- Two separate incidents of landslides and flash floods triggered by torrential two-hour long downpours killed at least seven people and injured 16 others in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir, in what was the latest episode of a string of tragedies that have struck the hills since the beginning of this monsoon season.
  • Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from HT Chandigarh.

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