الهند: فيضانات كشمير تخلّف 46 قتيلاً ومئات المفقودين

Sudden floods hit the town of Shasouti in the Kishtwar district of Indian Kashmir on Thursday evening, leaving at least 46 dead and more than 200 missing, according to local authorities.

This is the second disaster in the Himalayas in less than two weeks, following a flood and landslide that destroyed an entire village in Uttarakhand.

Ramesh Kumar, the Kishtwar district commissioner, reported that the floods were caused by a cloudburst, which is a sudden rainfall exceeding 100 mm in one hour, resulting in flooding and landslides.

Search and rescue operations have begun with the support of the army and air force, despite difficulties in accessing the area due to bad weather.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted that the news is painful, emphasizing the slow arrival of verified information from the affected area.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Office in Srinagar warned of continued heavy rains in Kashmir, urging residents to avoid unstable structures and old trees due to the risks of flooding and landslides. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, confirming that the situation is being monitored and support is being provided to those affected.

The Indian Kashmir region, with its rugged mountains and location in the Himalayas, is prone to natural disasters such as floods and landslides, especially during the monsoon season from June to September.