Flood kills 60 in India

India map

Indian rescue teams on Friday dug through mud searching for victims, a day after the latest deadly flood to crash through a Himalayan village killed at least 60 people.

Dozens more are missing, including Hindu pilgrims who were visiting a shrine, after torrents of water and mud driven by intense rain tore through the village in Kishtwar district in Indian-administered Kashmir.

It is the second major deadly flooding disaster in India this month.

Officials said a large makeshift kitchen in Chisoti village, where more than 100 pilgrims were completely washed away by what Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reported was a sudden “cloudburst” rain storm.

Heavy earthmovers were brought to the disaster area overnight to dig through deep mud, huge boulders and rubble that the flood brought down the mountainside.

The army’s White Knight Corps said its troops, “braving the harsh weather and rugged terrain, are engaged in the evacuation of the injured”.

An emergency kit, including ropes and digging tools, was being brought to the disaster site, with the army supporting other rescue teams. Punch