Kishtwar, Aug 14, KNT: At least 56 people, including two CISF personnel, have been confirmed dead after a massive cloudburst struck Chositi village near the Machail Mata Shrine in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, triggering flash floods that swept away makeshift structures, a community kitchen, and a security post. Over 250 people remain missing, while more than 300 have been rescued so far, several of them with serious injuries.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the disaster could result in substantial casualties and confirmed that the administration has swung into action, deploying rescue teams from the Civil Administration, Police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF. Adverse weather and washed-out roads have hampered air operations, forcing ground teams to lead much of the evacuation effort.
Witnesses said the cloudburst struck around 11:30 a.m. when hundreds of pilgrims were present in the last motorable village before the high-altitude shrine. The sudden surge of water destroyed a community kitchen hosting nearly 200 pilgrims and also damaged nearby security installations. Many tents and temporary shelters set up for yatris were washed away in the deluge.
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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed all agencies to strengthen rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance to the affected. Control rooms and helpline numbers have been activated to help locate missing persons.
The Machail Mata Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees every August, has been suspended until further notice. Due to the scale of the tragedy, Independence Day celebrations in several parts of the Union Territory were scaled down, with only flag hoisting and the national anthem being observed.
Officials fear the casualty count may rise as many areas remain cut off. Rescuers, including volunteers from local organisations, are continuing their search along the riverbanks downstream from the disaster site. [KNT]
