JAMMU & KASHMIR – At least 60 people died from cloudburst strikes in Jammu and Kashmir that hit the Kishtwar district on Thursday, and over 100 others injured.

Local officials said that at least 60 people were confirmed dead as of Friday and the casualties could rise as authorities were assessing the situation on the ground.

The cloudburst struck the Chositi village near Machail Mata Shrine in Padder Tashoti area of the district, triggering flash floods that swept a langar – a community kitchen.

It is believed that at least 26 people were in the community kitchen before it was swept away.

“All the disaster and rehabilitation teams are on the ground, we are making efforts to trace people who may be trapped in the impacted area,” Kumar said over the phone.

India’s Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said he feared the incident “could result in substantial casualties.”