J&K: Toll in Kishtwar cloudburst reaches 64, search underway for 39 missing
The cloudburst occurred around 12.25 pm on Thursday near Chashoti, the last motorable village on the route to the Machail Mata temple.
A large number of devotees had gathered in the area for the annual Machail Mata yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to run until September 5.
So far, 167 persons have been rescued, PTI quoted unidentified officials as saying. Thirty-nine others are still missing.
'The impact area of the cloudburst is vast and so it is taking time,' the news agency quoted Masoof Ahmad Mirza, deputy superintendent of police with the State Disaster Response Force, as saying.
Mirza added that rescue teams were being sent downstream after clearing the upstream area.
The Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said on Monday that five relief columns are engaged in the rescue operation, supported by additional medical teams.
On Sunday, Army engineers built a Bailey bridge over the Chisoti nullah, restoring connectivity to the village and the shrine, PTI reported.
The Machail Mata yatra remained suspended for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday.
However, authorities said a group of devotees from Jammu will be allowed to proceed and are expected to reach the shrine on Thursday or Friday.
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