'Trapped within 2 minutes': Victim recounts horror as Kishtwar cloudburst kills 60; several survivors say it felt like blast

Time of India

8 hours ago

KISHTWAR: Victims of the Kishtwar cloudburst recounted scenes of sudden chaos as a flash flood swept through Chesoti village along the Machail Mata Yatra route in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
The disaster has so far claimed at least 60 lives, injured over 100, and left many missing, with rescue operations still underway.
One survivor recalled that the cloudburst struck with a blast-like sound, and within two minutes, around four feet of debris and water engulfed the area, trapping several people.
"We were right there. suddenly there was a blast-like sound, and after the cloudburst, we started to evacuate, but within 2 minutes, there was 4 feet of debris.
We managed to rescue some people, but others got trapped. We were 11 members; we are safe, but my daughter and my wife were trapped in the debris, and now they are stable." he said.
Another survivor described being caught in the flash flood, "A lot of people were dead and many were injured. I was amid the waters when a policeman helped me and brought me to the hospital. My sister is missing right now."
A third victim said, "Suddenly, there was a sound like a bomb exploding, and everyone started shouting, 'Run, run.'
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As I started to run, I got trapped in the debris, and an electricity pole fell on me. After that, I called out to my daughter, and she pulled me out from there.".
Vishal Mehra, a devotee from Jammu who had come for the Machail Mata Yatra, said, "We were returning after the darshan and had stopped at Chesoti. A part of our group was a little behind. We were having tea, and as soon as we finished, Army personnel told us to run from there.
We rushed, but we got trapped in the debris."
"My sister and nephew are missing. There has been a massive loss. It felt like a sudden blast, and we could not act in time," he said.
"When the cloud burst, we were flown away and I was stuck under a car. My mother was under an electricity pole. Administration took quick action, and the vehicles of the army and the CRPF arrived immediately, " another victim recalled.
The cloudburst hit Chesoti village in Paddar, along the Machail Mata Yatra route, around 11 am on Thursday, as a large number of devotees were present.
J&K Leader of Opposition and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma called it "a very big disaster".
"There was a huge rush here as devotees in large numbers participated in the Machail Mata Yatra. There has been a huge loss. 42 bodies have been retrieved...This is a very big disaster. I am hopeful that tomorrow, if the weather allows, rescue operations will be carried out through helicopter services, " he said.
Relief operations are ongoing in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other civilian agencies.
The White Knight Corps has deployed more than five columns, each comprising 60 personnel along with medical detachments, to assist in rescuing the missing individuals.
"Over five columns of 60 personnel each and medical detachments of the White Knight Corps are on the ground, working tirelessly in consonance with JKP, SDRF, and other civilian agencies to save lives & assist those in need. Search for missing underway with medical aid & support reaching affected families.
Relief operations continue," the White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
Kishtwar additional superintendent of police Pradeep Singh said that multiple agencies—including J-K Police, SDRF, Fire Services, CISF, CRPF, and the Army—are actively involved in the ongoing rescue operations.
"45 have been confirmed dead, while over 100 injured have been shifted (for treatment). Many people are still feared missing. We will update as more missing people or dead bodies are found. Ambulance and local people are also working shoulder to shoulder with the police for the rescue operation. 8-10 of the deceased people were identified, and the identification process is going on, " he said.
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