Jammu and Kashmir: 8 killed in floods, landslides in Kathua; Rescue underway

At least eight people lost their lives on Wednesday due to floods and landslides in the upper reaches of the Banu tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, the local police said.

“Eight people were killed due to floods & landslides in the upper reaches of the Kathua district. A rescue operation was launched by police and local people,” officials of Kathua Police told ANI.

The landslides and floods were triggered by incessant torrential rainfalls in the area.

According to the police, five people of a family were buried alive when a heavy landslide fell on their residence at the Surjan village in Bani tehsil, which is about 250 km from the Kathua headquarters.

A massive rescue operation was launched by the police and local people. The bodies of the five people were recovered by the police, who confirmed, “Five family members inside the house were died.” Three other people lost their lives in Sera, according to the police.

Kathua police warns people against leaving house as water levels rise

Early on Wednesday morning, the Kathua Police issued a notice to the residents to not venture out of the house unless necessary in view of the rising water levels of rivers.

“In view of heavy rainfall in Kathua distt. water level in most of Rivers & Nallahs [streams] is continuously rising. So there is every apprehension of Flash flood. People are advised to stay at home & not to move towards any river/nallah,” Kathua Police tweeted.