SRINAGAR: Powerful torrents driven by intense rain that smashed into a Himalayan mountain village in Indian-administered Kashmir killed at least 34 people on Thursday (Aug 14), a top local government official told AFP.
“We have found 34 dead bodies and rescued 35 injured people,” said Pankaj Kumar Sharma, district commissioner of Kishtwar. “There are chances of more dead bodies being found.”
An official in Kishtwar district, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said initial reports “suggest around 50 people were washed away” in the flood.
AFP was unable to immediately verify the report.
Floods on Aug 5 swept away the Himalayan town of Dharali in India’s Uttarakhand state and buried it in mud. The likely death toll from that disaster is more than 70 but has yet to be confirmed.
Floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency and severity.
“The news is grim,” Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a statement. “All possible resources are being mobilised”.
His office said he “expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst” in Kishtwar, and offered “condolences to the bereaved families”.
However, no official toll has been given yet.
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