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The article details the closure of all schools in the Jammu Division on August 18 due to inclement weather conditions. This decision, announced by the Director of School Education, Jammu, affects both government and private institutions. The primary reason for the closure is to ensure the safety of students and staff during the period of adverse weather, preventing potential accidents or difficulties in commuting. This closure is preventative, not a direct response to the devastating events unfolding elsewhere in the region. The decision highlights the Jammu and Kashmir administration's focus on proactive measures to safeguard its citizens during times of environmental challenges. The emphasis on school closures indicates a prioritized concern for the wellbeing of children and the disruption potential severe weather poses to daily life and educational continuity. However, the article primarily shifts its focus to the tragedies that have occurred in Kishtwar and Kathua due to cloudbursts and flash floods. These incidents have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread damage, requiring extensive rescue and relief efforts. The initial part of the article focusing on school closures serves as a brief introductory statement leading to the more extensive reporting on the disasters in other parts of the region. The weather, initially the cause of the school closure, is a key contributing factor to the larger tragedy of the floods and cloudburst. The article also acts as a public announcement to inform students, parents and educators that learning institutions are closed due to weather. The decision allows families to plan and prepare as well as prevent potential risk to health and safety from travel. The weather is a great influencer in the area, demonstrating the need for robust infrastructure and emergency response protocols.
The central part of the article provides a harrowing account of the cloudburst and flash flood in the Kishtwar district. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo confirmed that 61 people had lost their lives in the incident, with 116 individuals rescued so far. The scale of the disaster necessitated a coordinated response from various security forces and agencies, including the CISF, J&K Police, CRPF, BRO, Indian Army, and NHPC. These entities immediately launched search and rescue operations, working tirelessly day and night to locate and assist those affected. The article emphasizes the collaborative effort, highlighting the involvement of approximately 450 personnel in the rescue operation. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) MK Yadav of the CISF provided updates on the ongoing efforts, stating that JCB machines were being used to clear debris and search for survivors. Teams were formed from the SDRF, NDRF, local police, and CISF, zoning the affected area to ensure a systematic and comprehensive search. Yadav expressed hope for saving more people, particularly those trapped inside boulders and muddy areas. The cloudburst, which occurred during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14, unleashed devastating flash floods that claimed the lives of around 55 people in Kishtwar. The intensity of the disaster underscores the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the importance of robust early warning systems and disaster preparedness measures. The ongoing nature of the rescue operations is a testament to the severity of the situation and the commitment of the responding agencies to save lives. The details provided on the affected people, the agencies involved, and the strategies used to facilitate the rescue paints a clear picture of the gravity of the event and the dedication of the personnel involved in the rescue process. The mention of JCB machines and the zoning of the area underscores the meticulous strategies used.
The article further details the impact of flash floods and a landslide in Kathua, where seven people lost their lives and six others sustained injuries. Chief Secretary Dulloo reported that the injured were evacuated by helicopter and admitted to the military hospital in Pathankot. The Indian Army, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and civil administration, conducted rescue operations in the flash flood-hit villages of Kathua district. Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma confirmed the fatalities and injuries, noting that five people had died and seven were injured in one particular village. The injured were airlifted to the military hospital in Pathankot, emphasizing the urgency and severity of their condition. The floods also caused significant damage to roads and houses, exacerbating the already dire situation. Authorities are providing food and relief to those who have been evacuated from their homes. The combined impact of the cloudburst in Kishtwar and the flash floods in Kathua paints a grim picture of the widespread devastation caused by extreme weather events in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The article highlights the importance of coordinated rescue efforts, the role of various security forces and agencies, and the need for immediate relief and support to those affected. The detailed accounts of fatalities, injuries, and infrastructure damage underscore the vulnerability of the region to natural disasters and the critical need for comprehensive disaster management strategies. The mention of airlifts of the injured, food provisions, and provision of support highlights the quick and effective response from the state and military. The mention of infrastructure damage makes it apparent that rebuilding the region will be a long and challenging road. The article as a whole demonstrates the human cost of natural disasters and the importance of preventative measures as well as effective disaster relief response teams.
Source: All schools in Jammu to remain closed on Aug 18 due to bad weather conditions