A sudden cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district has claimed seven lives, including five children, after flash floods and landslides struck the region on Saturday. The incident has left the local community shaken as rescue operations continue in the affected areas.

According to officials, heavy rains triggered the cloudburst late Friday night, leading to water gushing through residential areas and sweeping away several people. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and recovered bodies of the victims, while search is still on for those reported missing.

The flash floods also damaged houses, roads, and agricultural land, causing severe disruption to daily life. Landslides blocked key routes, hampering relief work, though authorities have deployed disaster response teams and machinery to clear debris.

District officials have assured that relief measures, including temporary shelter and food for the affected families, are being provided. Senior officers are monitoring the situation closely, and additional reinforcements have been called in to assist in the rescue operations.

The tragedy highlights the growing vulnerability of hilly regions to sudden weather extremes. Experts say changing rainfall patterns and poor infrastructure add to the risks faced by local populations in such calamities.