Poonam Nath

J&K cloudburst: Death toll rises to 65, rescue ops underway in Kishtwar after several reported missing

Digital Desk: Despite ongoing intensive rescue efforts for the second day, the number of fatalities from the massive cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, increased to 65 on Friday.

Flash floods that swept through the area on the Machail Mata Yatra route to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi have left hundreds of people missing, with many believed to be buried beneath the debris.

There have been 167 people rescued so far in injured condition, and 38 of them are reportedly in serious condition. After a security outpost, a makeshift market, and a langar (community kitchen) site for the yatra were destroyed by the flood, many more people are thought to be trapped.

In order to help those impacted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has spoken with Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir.