Jalandhar/Kishtwar: The devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district has left several families in anguish, including two from Punjab. Reports confirm that two young women from Jalandhar are among those missing in the tragedy.
The missing girls have been identified as 22-year-old Vanshika and her friend Disha, both residents of the Sodal area in Jalandhar. According to relatives, Vanshika had travelled to Jammu with her parents, brother, and friend Disha to visit her grandmother. On the day of the disaster, the group had gone to offer prayers at the Machayal Mata temple. While returning from the shrine, the two girls reportedly got separated during the sudden cloudburst and have not been traced since.
Family members said the news of their disappearance has left them shattered. Vanshika’s parents and brother, who were present with her, are safe, but the girls could not be found amid the chaos caused by heavy rainfall and debris flow. The families have since rushed to Jammu, where search and rescue teams are continuing operations to locate the missing devotees.
The tragedy in Kishtwar has claimed at least 60 lives, with most victims being pilgrims who had gathered for religious observances. Among the deceased are also two CISF personnel. Authorities have launched large-scale relief efforts, though challenging terrain and continued rainfall are hampering progress.
Local officials have assured that all resources are being deployed to trace the missing individuals, while appeals have been made for families to remain in touch with the administration for updates.
