At least 30 people have died and over 200 are missing following a devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar’s Chosoti village, prompting extensive rescue operations amid challenging conditions.
KISHTWAR: The devastation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district intensified on Thursday as officials confirmed that at least 30 individuals, including two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, have lost their lives due to a massive cloudburst that struck Chosoti village along the Machail Mata Yatra route. More than 200 people are currently reported missing, while rescue teams are facing treacherous weather and difficult terrain in their efforts to locate survivors.
The cloudburst triggered severe flash floods, which swept away homes, roads, and bridges in the remote Paddar region. Large portions of the last motorable settlement before the shrine are now buried under debris, with authorities describing the destruction as “widespread and severe.”
According to officials, approximately 100 individuals have sustained injuries, with 37 in critical condition. These critically injured patients have been transported to the District Hospital in Kishtwar, while around 70 to 80 others are receiving treatment at the Sub-District Hospital in Paddar. Additional medical teams have been mobilized from neighboring districts to assist in the response.
In the wake of this tragedy, the annual Machail Mata Yatra has been suspended. The Civil Administration, along with the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other security forces, have been deployed to expedite rescue and relief operations. Heavy machinery is being utilized to clear access routes, and aerial reconnaissance missions are underway to identify stranded groups in isolated hamlets.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life, directing officials to ensure “all possible assistance” is provided to the affected families. “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the recovery of the injured,” he stated.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that central agencies are actively supporting local authorities in the rescue efforts. “Rescue teams are on the ground, and every possible effort is being made to trace the missing,” he noted.
Officials have cautioned that the casualty count may rise, as many villages remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and ongoing rainfall, which is hampering relief efforts. Rescue teams are working tirelessly, prioritizing the evacuation of critically injured and vulnerable individuals from the disaster zone.
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