At least 60 people have died following a severe rainfall event that triggered landslides above the village of Chashoti in the Jammu and Kashmir region on Thursday.
Indian media reports indicate over 100 individuals have been injured. Authorities anticipate the death toll may rise further as numerous people remain unaccounted for. So far, more than 160 people have been rescued, with 38 pulled from precarious situations.
Farooq Abdullah, chairman of the local JKNC party, suggests the number of casualties could be significantly higher. He stated on New Delhi Television that he believes over 500 people may still be buried under the debris in Kishtwar, a figure emergency responders estimate could potentially reach up to 1,000.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with efforts focused on freeing individuals trapped beneath the landslides. The National Disaster Response Force, along with the army, have joined local rescue teams in the recovery work.
The disaster follows a major flood event that impacted India last week. The monsoon season, spanning June to September, frequently brings flooding and landslides to the region. Experts note that climate change is contributing to an increase in both the frequency and severity of these events.
