Six killed in cloudburst in Doda

Six persons were killed and 11 injured after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst wreaked havoc in Thathri town of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, inundating vast areas along the Batote-Kishtwar National Highway and washing away half a dozen houses.

While 11 persons have been rescued from the debris, many others are feared trapped and the toll is likely to rise, police said.

Four of a family were among those killed in the cloudburst that damaged six houses, two shops and a school.

"Flash floods triggered by cloudburst hit Thathri town at 2.20 am resulting in a massive increase in the level of the 'nullah' flowing along the Jamai Masjid locality close to the town" a police officer said.

Dy SP (headquarters) Doda, Iftkhar Ahmed, said the water level and silt suddenly rose in the drain after the cloudburst, washing away several structures along its path leading to the main market.

"As of now, six persons including five women have died and their bodies recovered", a police spokesman said.