Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: At least 46 people including two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans, have been killed, about 120 injured and more than 100 still missing after a massive cloudburst struck Chashoti village of Padder area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir triggering flash floods that swept away a langar (community kitchen) shed on Thursday afternoon.
Official sources said more than 100 people have been rescued so far. At least 28 of the people rescued have been found to be critically injured causing apprehension that the death toll may rise further.
Rescue teams have been rushed to the spot and visuals showed pilgrims being evacuated. JK LG Manoj Sinha directed Army and NDRF officials to strengthen rescue efforts, “Anguished by cloudburst in Chashoti Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.”
Chashoti is the starting point for the Machail Mata Yatra, as well as the last motorable village on the way to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi in Kishtwar. The annual yatra has been suspended after the flash floods, officials said. “A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started,” said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma, who is on his way to the cloudburst-hit area along with Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh. The NDRF has already rushed 180 members, equipped with modern gadgets, from its Udhampur base to the cloudburst-hit region.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, an MP from J&K’s Udhampur, said he has spoken to Mr Sharma after being informed about the cloudburst by the Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma.
“The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties. We immediately got in touch with the district authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the incident. Very soon, we will know more details. Every possible assistance will be provided. The administration will also make arrangements for heli-rescue for medical treatment,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office said he was in touch with the district administration and all relief measures were being taken. “Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar, extending condolences to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister’s office is in touch with the district administration, and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken,” it said.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued a forecast indicating moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by brief intense showers, thunder, lightning, and gusty winds across many parts of Jammu & Kashmir over the next 4–6 hours.
LG assured all the affected families that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this hour of crisis. The Air Force has also been alerted for evacuation. He is constantly monitoring the situation.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his grief with the bereaved families. “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need, Mr Modi wrote on X.
The union home minister Amit Shah spoke to CM Omar Abdullah. “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.” He said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need.
Mr Abdullah also wrote on the X after speaking to Mr Amit Shah. “The news is grim & accurate; verified information from the area hit by the cloudburst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible,” he added in the X post.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar said at around 11.30 am, they received information that a cloudburst occurred in the Chashoti area in Kishtwar. SRDF, local police and administration reached the spot. The NDRF team is also about to reach the spot. The army, air force teams have also been activated. Search and rescue operations are underway.
The former J&K CM and President of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Farooq Abdullah said, “The Machail Yatra is a major pilgrimage, drawing lakhs of devotees each year. A cloudburst has occurred in the area, but there is no clear information yet on how many people may have been swept away.” “Something similar happened in Ramban last year as well — this, too, appears to be a consequence of global warming. The administration was already on alert, and swift rescue efforts are currently underway to save lives,” he added.