Indian rescuers scour debris after 60 killed in flood
Rescuers Inspect Village After Second Fatal Flood in Himalayan Kishtwar
Indian rescue teams dug through mud in Kishtwar district after a flash flood that killed at least 60 people on a day after a deadly monsoon surge. The disaster buried a makeshift kitchen in Chisoti village, where more than 100 pilgrims were washed away by a sudden rain storm reported by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Search and Rescue Operations
- Heavy earthmovers were deployed overnight to dig through deep mud, boulders, and rubble carried down the mountainside.
- The army’s White Knight Corps described troops as “braving the harsh weather and rugged terrain” while evacuating injured victims.
- Emergency kits, ropes, and digging tools were brought to the site, supporting other rescue teams.
Victims and Missing People
- One survivor recalled hearing a “big blast” when the wall of water hit the settlement, initially mistaking it for an earthquake.
- Top disaster‑management official Mohammad Irshad confirmed 60 deaths, 80 people unaccounted for, and intensified the search for the missing.
- Around 50 severely injured people have been transported to hospitals.
Climate Change and Monsoon Impact
Floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season, but experts warn that climate change and poorly planned development are increasing their frequency, severity, and impact. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization last year described the intensifying floods and droughts as a “distress signal” of a more unpredictable water cycle.
Other Recent Disasters
Floods on August 5 overwhelmed the Himalayan town of Dharali in Uttarakhand, burying it in mud and likely killing more than 70 people, though the death toll remains unconfirmed. Roads had already been damaged by days of heavy storms, and the area lies over 200 kilometres (125 miles) by road from the region’s main city, Srinagar.
National Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the spate of disasters in his Independence Day speech, expressing sympathies and assuring full cooperation between state and central governments.
