SRINAGAR, Aug. 15 -- The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating cloudburst at Chashoti village in Paddar Sub Division, Kishtwar district, which has claimed dozens of lives, including pilgrims.

"Our prayers are with all those injured and missing, and we stand in solidarity with the survivors during this time of profound grief," said Faiz Ahmed Bakshi, Convenor of EPG.

Calling the tragedy part of a "disturbing pattern of extreme weather events" in the Himalayan region, Bakshi pointed to recent incidents in Kishtwar, Paddar, Kokernag, Kupwara, Leh-Srinagar highway, Harwan, Sonamarg, and Betaab Valley in Pahalgam. "The swollen streams and debris-choked valleys seen yesterday in Pahalgam are a grim re...