J&K: At Least 20 Feared Dead, Many Missing After Suspected Cloudburst in Kishtwar
A weather event, believed to be a cloudburst, was reported from Chishoti village in the hilly Padder sub-division of Kishtwar, which falls on the way to the Machail Mata temple between 11 and 12 pm on Thursday.
Reports said that a large number of pilgrims had gathered in Chishoti to embark on a nine-kilometre hike to the sacred Hindu temple, about nine km away in Machail area, when the incident happened. The ongoing pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees every year.
Several tents and a community kitchen had been set up in the village to cater to the pilgrims which are reported to have borne the brunt of the cloudburst that triggered massive flash floods.
Speaking to local reporters, senior J&K BJP leader Sunil Sharma said that at least 20 dead bodies have been pulled out from the debris while dozens are injured.
A video from the scene of the incident showed panicked residents urging each other to pull back as a massive mudslide cascades down into a narrow gorge. Another video showed dozens of private cars parked along a road on a hill while the civilians and pilgrims are seen running barefoot for their lives.
Kishtwar is a hilly district in Chenab valley of Jammu and home to several hydro power projects which have been constructed despite warnings by climate scientists and activists that they will spell environmental catastrophe.
Chishoti is situated in the foothills of the towering mountains that encircle Kishtwar, Doda and Reasi districts of Chenab valley. Witnesses said that local administration and police were struggling to carry out the rescue operations. The army has also been called in to help in evacuating the injured.
Bodies of the deceased and the injured have been taken to sub district hospital in Athola Padder.
Union home minister Amit Shah said that the government was in touch with J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah about the emergency situation in Kishtwar.
'The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are 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,' he said on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with the people affected in the weather event. In a post on X, Modi wrote, '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.'
Meanwhile, J&K chief minister said that he spoke about the 'grim news' from Kishtwar with Shah.
'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,' Abdullah posted on X.
Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, '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.'
In a post on X, senior BJP leader and Union minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke with the deputy commissioner of Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma regarding the incident.
'Massive cloud burst in Chishoti area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made. My office is receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided,' Singh said.
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