Sudden deluge leaves trail of destruction; over 50 dead, scores missing
Imran Shah
Kishtwar, Aug 15(DD) Panic, chaos, and the deafening roar of water — that’s how survivors describe the terrifying moments when a massive cloudburst struck Chisoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district Thursday.
“It was a big bang, we couldn’t even run for cover. In seconds, we were buried under debris and mud,” said Ramesh Kumar, who managed to pull his two children to safety but lost his house and livestock.
Sunita Devi, her voice trembling, recalled: “The flood came with such force it ripped through the walls of our home. I saw my neighbour being swept away right before my eyes, and there was nothing I could do.”
Ashok Singh, who was trapped under a collapsed roof for nearly half an hour, said: “I could hear people screaming, children crying. All I could think about was whether I would see daylight again.”
The disaster has claimed over 50 lives, with scores still missing. Rescue operations by the Army, SDRF, police, and local volunteers continued through the night, with teams navigating waist-deep sludge and unstable debris to reach survivors.
Kiran Lal, who lost two relatives, said the village “will never be the same. We have lost people, homes, and our sense of safety.”
Relief camps have been set up for the displaced, and officials say the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Initial reports suggest large parts of Chisoti have been flattened, leaving survivors with haunting memories of a night they will never forget(DD)