Kishtwar Cloudburst: Death Toll Rises To 46, 167 Rescued; Search Ops Continue

News18

3 days ago

A massive cloudburst struck the village of Chositi in J&K's Kishtwar district, where a large number of devotees had gathered for the annual Machail Mata Yatra.
At least 46 people have been confirmed killed due to a massive cloudburst that struck Chositi village in the remote Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday afternoon. Search and rescue operations continue at the site, with the White Knight Corps deploying over 300 troops with relief stores and medical teams.
Local administration teams are on the ground, evacuating residents, providing medical assistance and working to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Authorities are assessing damage and prioritising the safety of people in vulnerable zones.
Officials said two CISF personnel were among the 46 people killed in the cloudburst. At least 167 people have been rescued in injured condition, while 69 are reported missing by their relatives.
A large number of devotees had gathered in Chositi, around 90 km from Kishtwar town, for the annual Machail Mata Yatra when the cloudburst struck. A 'langar' (community kitchen) set up for pilgrims was among the worst-hit structures. Several shops and a security post were also swept away by the flash floods.
Many vehicles at the bus stand, the starting point for the foot journey to the Himalayan temple of Machail Mata, were severely damaged by floodwaters and mud. More people are believed to be trapped following the deluge.
Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir administration set up a control room-cum-help desk to assist people and pilgrims following flash floods. The help desk has received hundreds of distress calls since the tragedy, according to an official.
21 Bodies Identified
J&K police said they had identified 21 out of the 46 bodies retrieved from the site of the cloudburst. Authorities shared the pictures of the victims through a WhatsApp group with the affected families, which helped identify the deceased.
'Out of 45 bodies retrieved so far, 21 have been identified by their families. The rest are being identified," a senior official told PTI. A J&K health department official said a team of specialist doctors from PGI Chandigarh is reaching Government Medical College, Jammu, to assist in medical care and bolster critical care capabilities.
At least 16 houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge, as well as over a dozen vehicles were also damaged in the flash flood, according to reports.
(with agency inputs)
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.