August 17, 2025

Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir was hit by a twin disaster early Sunday that left seven people dead and five injured. A powerful cloudburst struck Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh, dumping huge amounts of rain overnight. This sudden deluge cut off access to Jodh Ghati and damaged several houses. Meanwhile, a landslide triggered by heavy rain hit Janglote area, claiming two more lives. District Development Commissioner Rajesh Sharma along with senior police and civil officers rushed immediately to the affected areas. They joined forces with the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers to carry out rescue and relief work. From the cloudburst-hit Jodh Ghati, five people lost their lives and five others were taken to the hospital. In Janglote, the landslide buried two residents. Officials also reported smaller landslides in Bagard, Changda, and Dilwan-Hutli villages, but luckily, without major damage. The heavy rains have caused rivers and other water bodies to swell dangerously, especially the Ujh river, which is now flowing near the danger mark. Authorities warn residents to stay away from rivers and water bodies to stay safe. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He conveyed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones and wished a quick recovery for the injured. "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," said the Chief Minister’s office on X. Abdullah directed the administration to take immediate action for relief, rescue, and evacuation to protect the affected people. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also confirmed that all government forces including the military and paramilitary teams are working hard to help people. He said, "Spoke to SSP Kathua Sh. Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in the Janglote area," on X, showing how fast the response has been. The residents of Kathua are facing tough times, but the speedy rescue operations and strict monitoring by the local authorities are hopes that the disaster’s damage will be controlled soon.

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Tags: Kathua cloudburst, Landslide, Jammu and kashmir, Rescue operation, Heavy rains, Omar abdullah,