A catastrophic cloudburst struck Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, August 14, leading to flash floods that have resulted in at least 33 confirmed deaths and left over 120 individuals injured. The incident occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, a significant pilgrimage path leading to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi.
Among the deceased are two personnel from the CISF, with two additional CISF members reported missing. The flash floods have caused widespread destruction, sweeping away vehicles and infrastructure, and leaving the area heavily impacted.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh described the event as a “massive, massive cloudburst,” warning that it could lead to substantial casualties. He confirmed that arrangements are being made for medical management and the potential airlifting of the injured, subject to weather conditions.
Rescue operations are actively underway, with teams from the NDRF, the Army, and local police mobilized to assist affected communities. Despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, efforts continue to locate and assist those affected by the disaster.
The cloudburst has also disrupted the ongoing pilgrimage, with authorities evacuating pilgrims from the affected areas. Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah has briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation, noting that confirmed information from the cloudburst-hit area was slow to come in. He assured that all possible resources are being mobilized to manage the rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence and assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation and providing all necessary assistance.
The disaster highlights the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events, underscoring the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
