Over 40 dead, at least 100 injured as massive cloudburst hits Machail Mata Yatra route in Kishtwar
The disaster struck along the route of the ongoing Machail Mata Yatra, where a heavy rush of pilgrims and incessant rains worsened the situation. Officials said more than 250 people were present at the site of the tragedy when the cloudburst hit.
Kishtwar DDC Chairperson Pooja Thakur told TNIE, 'Rescue teams are working tirelessly at the site. So far, 100 to 150 people have been injured, and we are doing everything possible to evacuate those stranded and provide medical assistance.'
Authorities said the flash floods swept through a parking lot, langar (community kitchen), and a CRPF camp in the area, leaving several people trapped under debris. Rescue operations are underway, but bad weather and damaged roads are hampering efforts.
The Army has joined the relief and rescue operations. A Jammu-based Army spokesperson said troops of the White Knight formation were swiftly mobilised to safeguard lives and assist survivors, with search operations for the missing continuing. Relief stores, medical teams, and rescue equipment have also been rushed to the site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and asserted that every possible assistance will be provided to those in need.
In a post on X, Modi said, "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," the prime minister said.
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Business Standard
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J-K cloudburst: IAF on standby with 3 helicopters for rescue, relief work
Operations will commence at the "first available operational weather window", a source said Press Trust of India New Delhi The Indian Air Force is ready to undertake relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of the deadly cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur, sources said on Friday. Operations will commence at the "first available operational weather window", a source said. A massive flash flood triggered by the cloudburst struck the remote mountain village of Chisoti on Thursday, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100, officials said. Authorities have so far identified 30 of the retrieved bodies, they said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, took stock of the situation, and assured them of all help. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Kishtwar cloudburst: Videos show moment flash floods struck area; belongings scattered in aftermath
Video/Social media NEW DELHI: A cloudburst triggered a flash flood in Chisoti village of Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100 others. Officials in Jammu and Kashmir said on Friday that 21 bodies have been recovered and identified, news agency PTI reported. More than 160 people have been rescued so far, and 38 of them are in serious condition. Chisoti, which serves as a base camp for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, had a large number of pilgrims present when the incident occurred between 12 noon and 1 pm on Thursday. The floods, along with mudslides and debris flows, buried houses, shops and vehicles. Several people are missing. The flash floods also washed away a security camp and multiple vehicles parked at the bus stand. A temple in the flooded area was not damaged. A video from the site shows a purse and other belongings scattered after the floods. Another video on social media shows the moment the flash floods entered the area following the cloudburst. Yet another video shows the moment a cloudburst led to flash floods in Chashoti village and people running around to save their lives and their possessions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and lieutenantgGovernor Manoj Sinha on Friday in the wake of a cloudburst.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Death toll rises to 60, over 100 injured in J&K's Kishtwar cloudburst; rescue operations intensify
SRINAGAR: A day after a devastating cloudburst struck the remote Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, killing 60 persons and injuring over 100 others, a massive rescue operation is underway to save dozens feared trapped beneath debris and mud. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said 60 people have so far died in the cloudburst. He said over 100 have been injured and many others are still missing. "We don't have the exact number of the missing people," the CM said. An official said the injured persons have been evacuated to different hospitals for specialised treatment. The condition of 35 injured is stated to be critical. The official said the death toll is likely to go up. 'As of now, 69 persons are missing as their family members have approached the administration and informed about the missing of their wards,' the official said. The official said a rescue operation by SDRF, police, civil administration personnel and NDRF teams is going on. The local volunteers and residents are also assisting in the rescue operation. A massive cloudburst struck Chositi, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar district, at around noon yesterday. The cloudburst triggered a flash flood and mudslide in Chositi village, which was abuzz with activities as people in large numbers have been visiting the area since the start of the Machail Mata Yatra on July 25. The pilgrims have to travel 8.5 km from the road to the 9,500-feet-high temple from Chositi village. The temple lies two villages ahead, and the devotees have to pass through Chositi. A volunteer said nobody knows the exact number of missing people as a large number of people were present at the site when the cloudburst hit the village, triggering the flash flood and mudslide. 'There was a parking lot and langar (community kitchen) in the area. Besides, there was a paramilitary camp in the area. Locals had also set up shops in view of the yatra,' DDC chairperson Kishtwar Pooja Thakur told this newspaper.
