Kathua Flash Floods Kill 4, Rescue Ops in Full Swing
Heavy rains triggered flash floods in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving at least four people dead and six others injured early Sunday morning. Rescue teams are battling tough conditions as a family is feared trapped under debris following a massive landslide.
Tragedy Strikes Ghati Village
The disaster unfolded in Ghati village, Rajbagh area, between 3.30 and 4 am. Torrential rains swelled the Ujh river, causing sudden floods that swept through houses and blocked roads. Police inspector Ajay Singh confirmed that advance parties rushed immediately to the site. Access to the village remains cut off due to waterlogging and landslides.
A joint team of the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has joined locals in desperate rescue attempts. Four bodies have been recovered, while six injured victims were pulled out alive and shifted to nearby hospitals. Army units are on standby to assist if the situation worsens.
Industrial and Public Spaces Submerged
The floods did not spare vital infrastructure. Water entered the Janglote industrial area, Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, and even the local police station. Railway tracks and several roads were submerged, causing transport disruptions. District police chief Shobhit Saxena clarified that while there was no confirmed cloudburst, flash floods wreaked havoc due to days of heavy rain.
Cloudburst or Flash Floods?
While locals reported sudden cloudbursts, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as more than 100 mm of rain within an hour. Officials noted that while rainfall was intense, it was still being assessed whether the event fit that category. What remains certain is that water levels in the Ujh and Sahar Khad rivers rose sharply, creating a disaster scenario.
Union Minister and Army Step In
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that civilian administration, military, and paramilitary forces are coordinating efforts. The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working with SDRF, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and police to provide relief. Major General APS Bal assured that relief supplies are reaching affected families.
Landslides Add to Crisis
Around the same time, a landslide struck Juthana Jod near Ghati, where an entire family is feared buried. Landslides also hit Bagard and Changda villages under Kathua police jurisdiction and Dilwan-Hutli in Lakhanpur, though no major damage has been reported there.
Recent Similar Disasters
The tragedy in Kathua comes only days after flash floods in Kishtwar district killed over 60 people, many of them pilgrims on the Machail Mata Yatra. Experts warn that climate change and deforestation are worsening the intensity of such natural disasters in the Himalayan region. According to official government data, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a sharp rise in cloudburst and flood incidents over the past decade.
Looking Ahead
Kathua’s location near the Punjab border makes it a vital transport hub for Jammu. With railways, highways, and schools affected, recovery will take time. Authorities are urging people in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant. Relief camps are being set up, and the situation is being closely monitored by the administration.
The incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for disaster preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving lives and restoring normalcy.