Death toll from cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua District rises to 7, six injured. Watch

Seven people have died after a cloud burst in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, said officials on Sunday (Aug 17). In addition, at least six people are feared trapped after flash floods and a landslide were triggered in Jodh village due to the cloudburst. As per reports, the entire area was flooded due to the cloudburst in the valley and jungles of Kathua. In particular, the Kathua-Pathankot National Highway and nearby areas, including the police station valley, have been affected by the cloudburst. Meanwhile, the Kathua River is in spate, i.e., the river has a high water level and is raging.

A video purportedly from Kathua shows the area's police station submerged as water from the cloudburst floods the area. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

Rescue operation underway

Speaking about the situation in Jodh village, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma said rescue teams are on the spot and operations are underway.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh confirmed that four casualties have been reported. He said that "damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected".

Centre monitoring the situation:Amit Shah

Union Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, assured that the central government was closely monitoring the situation in Kathua. "Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration, and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site," he said. "Assured every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K," the post read.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives due to rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua district.

Calling it a "mind-numbing" tragedy, on X, he wrote, "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Hon'ble Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah Ji on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police & administration."