Jammu – A tragic disaster struck Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, leaving at least 46 people dead and several others missing following a cloudburst and subsequent flash floods in the Chashoti area, en route to the Machail Mata Temple. The disaster struck around 12:30 PM, just as hundreds of devotees were gathered at the langar (community kitchen) of the temple, leaving no time for the victims to react.
The devastating incident occurred without warning, as a loud sound was heard followed by a sudden rush of water, sweeping away everything in its path. Eyewitnesses reported that people were caught off-guard while having lunch or resting inside their vehicles, with many vehicles, including several cars and buses, being completely washed away by the flash floods. Several houses near the langar also sustained severe damage.
By 8:30 PM, authorities confirmed that 46 bodies had been recovered from the debris. At least 160 individuals sustained injuries, many critically. “A search operation is underway to locate the missing people, but the situation is very grim,” said Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, in an interview with ETV Bharat. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, but the challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions are hampering operations.
The flash floods hit at a particularly vulnerable time, as the area had been hosting a large number of devotees who had gathered for a religious event. Chashoti, a small village situated along the trekking route to the Machail Mata Temple, serves as the last point where vehicles can reach before the devotees continue on foot for another 10 kilometers to the shrine.
Rescue Operations and Efforts to Assist Victims
In response to the disaster, local authorities, including Kishtwar’s District Commissioner (DC) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), rushed to the scene to supervise the ongoing rescue operations. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, civil administration, and local NGOs are all involved in the effort to rescue survivors and provide immediate relief.
The injured have been shifted to the primary health center at Atholi Paddar and the district hospital in Kishtwar for treatment. However, many victims remain trapped in inaccessible areas, and the weather continues to pose significant challenges to the rescue teams.
Government and National Leaders Express Condolences
Leaders across India have expressed their condolences and pledged support for the affected families. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah to review the situation. Shah assured that the central government was monitoring the situation closely and providing all possible assistance.
“Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site,” Shah posted on X. “We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also shared his grief on social media, offering his condolences to the victims and directing all relevant authorities to intensify their efforts. “Anguished by cloudburst in Chashoti Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations,” Sinha wrote on X.
In his statement, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that rescue operations were being mobilized at full scale, although challenges such as blocked roads and difficult weather conditions were slowing progress. He posted on X, “The news is grim & accurate. Verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilized to manage the rescue operations.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed concern, detailing the challenges faced by rescue teams in reaching the disaster site. “The additional rescue teams are finding it difficult to reach the site of the cloud burst, yet they are trying despite all the constraints. The road has been washed off, and the weather is not helicopter-worthy,” he wrote.
Religious and Political Figures Show Solidarity
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent religious leader of Kashmir, expressed his sorrow over the disaster. “Deeply anguished by the tragic cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar, which has resulted in multiple casualties and widespread distress. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” he posted on X.
The region’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather patterns have always posed a challenge to relief operations, and today’s disaster has only highlighted the difficulties faced by authorities in such remote areas. Local residents and religious devotees are continuing their efforts to provide aid and support, despite the ongoing challenges.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are urging the public to remain patient and to provide any available information that could assist in the recovery efforts.
