Three dead, dozens feared missing in Kashmir cloudburst

According to police, the incident took place late Wednesday at Batote-Kishtwar Highway in Baggar area, about 140 km northeast of Jammu.

The a large portion of the highway, several roadside shops and vehicles were swept away due to the cloudburst. The vehicles and the portions of the road slided into a lake, making it difficult for the officials to ascertain the loss of life and property.

"The area has become inaccessible and it is very difficult to give an assessment of the loss at this time," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Doda) Farooq Khan told IANS over phone.
Army's help has been sought to undertake the rescue operations, Khan added.

While three people are missing according to police, locals said there was no trace of dozens of them.

With a large stretch of the road having been washed away, there is no other road connectivity available. Hence, two mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar and nearly half a million people are cut off from the rest of the country.