Kathua cloudburst highlights: Army presses choppers into rescue operation; 7 killed

All updates to this live blog have ended.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra has termed the recent cloudburst and flash floods in Kishtwar as "very tragic," and raising concerns over lapses in preventive measures and rescue operations.

"This is a very tragic incident. We are going to oversee the rescue operations. An advisory was issued 48 hours ago for this, but the question is how people were allowed to go there even after that... There are definitely some gaps in the rescue operations..." Karra said, according to ANI.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: The Army has deployed helicopters and several columns in the cloudburst-hit Jodh Ghati village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, PTI reports, citing officials.

Several army columns were inducted into the operation in the affected areas to rescue stranded people and evacuate the injured to hospitals, the officials said.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Train operations have been affected along the Jammu-Pathankot rail line following a cloudburst in Kathua district, reported news agency PTI.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Railway Division, Uchit Singhal said, "Due to heavy rains, water is flowing above the danger level through bridge number 43 between Kathua-Budhi. In view of this, temporarily till the water level subsides, up-line movement has been suspended, and in the meantime, up trains are being moved via a temporary single line through the down line track."

He added that several trains have been short-terminated or short-originated, including the cancellation of local passenger trains.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said he is “deeply anguished by the tragic cloudburst in Kathua that has claimed lives and left many injured. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. I urge the administration to extend every possible assistance to those affected.”

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Rescue efforts are in full swing in Kathua following heavy rains and cloudburst-triggered flash floods and landslides. Visuals from the affected areas show teams from the Army, police, and disaster response forces working on the ground, evacuating stranded families, providing food, and extending medical aid. Helicopters are deployed as authorities continue relief operations.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Following the cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, union minister Jitendra Singh said helicopter services have been arranged to shift the injured to nearby hospitals.

Six people have been airlifted to a hospital in Mamoon, Pathankot, while rescue teams continue operations at the site.

In a post on X, Singh wrote, "Helicopter services have been arranged for shifting the injured to appropriate hospitals. 6 injured have been airlifted for hospitalisation in Mamoon, Pathankot, which was found to be relatively nearer destination."

He added that DIG Police Shiv Kumar Sharma and his team are present at the site and in regular contact with him, and more assistance will be provided as needed.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Rail services have been affected in Kathua district following heavy rains triggered by a cloudburst. Uchit Singhal, Sr DCM Jammu Division, Northern Railway, said: “Multiple calls are being recieved with respect to track damage. It is to clarify that due to heavy rains, water is flowing above the danger level through Br-43 between Kathua and Budhi," reported news agency ANI.

He added, "In the wake of this, temporarily till the water level subsides, up-line movement has been suspended and in the meantime, up trains are being moved via a temporary single line through the DN line track. A few trains have been short-terminated and short-originated, including the cancellation of local passenger trains. Details will be shared shortly."

Authorities said safety measures are being taken and efforts are underway to restore normal operations at the earliest.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote after heavy overnight rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Kathua district. The disaster came just three days after a cloudburst in Chisoti village of Kishtwar district left 60 people dead and over 100 injured.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Relief and rescue operations are in progress in Kathua district after seven people were killed in rain-triggered landslides. DC Kathua Rajesh Sharma said, “Heavy rainfall has caused significant damage in Kathua, and unfortunately, we have also lost lives. Five people died and seven were injured, and two more lives were lost in Janglot. We are ensuring the supply of essential items, though connectivity issues persist. Efforts are being made to provide supplies by air.”

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Updating about the on ground rescue operation in Kathua district, PRO Defence Jammu said on X, “IndianArmy Columns on the ground in Kathua — rescuing families, giving hope, food & care after the Cloudburst."

Heavy overnight rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Jodh Ghati and Janglote areas of Kathua district early Sunday, leaving seven people dead and several others injured. Rescue efforts by the Army, police, and disaster response teams are continuing.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar says, "There was heavy rain in Kathua since last night... Seven people have died due to the landslide. Rescue operations are ongoing... Some people are being rescued by helicopters because the connectivity there has been cut off... Those who died due to the landslide, their bodies have been retrieved."

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Union home minister Amit Shah said he has spoken with the lieutenant governor and chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the Kathua tragedy. “Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. Assured every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K,” Shah wrote on X.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh said helicopter services have been arranged to shift the injured to hospitals. “Six injured have been airlifted for hospitalisation in Mamoon, Pathankot, which was found to be relatively nearer destination. DIG Police, Shiv Kumar Sharma, along with his team, is camping at the spot and is in constant touch with me. Further assistance will be arranged, as and when required,” he posted on X.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Officials identified the victims as Renu Devi (39) and her daughter Radhika (9), Surmu Din (30), his sons Fanu (6) and Shedu (5), Tahu (2), son of Habib Deen, and Zulfan (15), daughter of Bashir Ahmed. All were residents of Kathua district.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: At least seven people were killed and five others injured in two separate incidents of flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district early Sunday, officials said. The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh and Janglote area following heavy overnight rains.

Kathua cloudburst live updates: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the deaths in Kathua and directed the administration to intensify relief, rescue and evacuation measures.

“Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and damage caused by landslides in several parts of Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed four lives and left many injured. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance,” the office of the chief minister said on X.