Sudden heavy rain in Kashmir: dozens of dead, 200 missing

Sudden heavy rain in Kashmir: dozens of dead, 200 missing

In India, a sudden and heavy rain has fallen, which in the Kashmir region managed by India demanded dozens of human lives and led to hectic rescue campaigns. This is the second disaster within a short time that illustrates the susceptibility of the residents of the Himalayas compared to extreme weather events.

Tragic record of the rains

At least 46 people have died in the city of Chashoti, a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindu tourists, while more than 200 are considered missing, Reuters reported on local authorities. The streets, which are caused by the rain, turn through raging rivers and destroyed entire buildings as well as vehicles, as show dramatic videos on social media.

Rescue operations underway

A wall of water, mud and ruins could be seen in one of the videos that rolled down the slope. The rescue operations are in full swing, with army and police forces looking for the missing. "The news is dark and exactly," wrote Omar Abdullah, Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, in a social media contribution. "All available resources are mobilized from J&K and beyond to support the rescue work."

Cause of the disaster

Some of the saved people were brought to hospitals. The Meteorological Institute of India said that the rain was due to a "cloud burst", a sudden and violent regeneration with more than 100 mm precipitation (4 inches) within an hour. This can lead to sudden floods, landslides and devastation, especially in mountainous regions during the monsoon.

Earlier floods in Uttarakhand

Early of the month, another tidal wave met a mountain village in the Himalaya in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand and killed at least four people. Abdullah announced that some planned events were canceled on Friday to celebrate the annual day of India's independence.

Consequences for pilgrims and communities

The floods on Thursday swept a shared kitchen and a safety post at a rest area along the pilgrim route, Reuters reported on a local official who wanted to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media. "A large number of pilgrims had gathered for lunch and was carried away," said the official.

Machil Yatra and the hope of rescue

The Machil Yatra is a popular pilgrimage to the high-lying Himalayan shrine from Machil Mata, a manifestation by the goddess Durga. The pilgrims migrate from Chasoti to the temple, where the road for vehicles ends. The disaster occurred at 11:30 a.m. local time, said Ramesh Kumar, the divisional commissioner of the Kishtwar district, the Ani news agency and added that local police and disaster protection officers had reached the place. "Army and air forces were also activated. Search and rescue operations are underway," said Kumar.