Latest news with #MachailMatayatra
Scroll.in
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Scroll.in
J&K: Toll in flash flood triggered by cloudburst in Kishtwar rises to 45, over 50 missing
The toll from the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near Chashoti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district rose to 45 on Friday, ANI reported. More than 50 persons continue to be missing, Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. Rescue operations were underway, Kishtwar Additional Superintendent of Police Pradeep Singh told ANI. He added that the operations were being carried out by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force, fire services, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and the Army. Pradeep Singh told ANI that about eight to ten of those killed had been identified and the process to identify the rest was ongoing. The cloudburst took place on Thursday near Chashoti, which is the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, around 12.25 pm, PTI reported. A large number of devotees had gathered in the area for the annual Machail Mata yatra that began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that every possible assistance would be provided to those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar. 'My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir,' he said on social media. 'The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway.' 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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 14, 2025 Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he had spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the situation in the district. 'The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations,' he said. 'NDRF [National Disaster Response Force] 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.'
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First Post
a day ago
- Climate
- First Post
Kishtwar cloudburst: Why is Jammu and Kashmir vulnerable to such disasters?
Over 30 people are dead and several are injured after a cloudburst hit a remote mountain village in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. It triggered flash floods, which swept away a langar and structures at Chashoti village. J&K is prone to natural disasters, including landslides and earthquakes. But why? Damaged structures and uprooted trees at an area after a massive cloudburst at Chasoti village, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, August 14, 2025. PTI Days after Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir reported a cloudburst that triggered flash floods. At least 30 people died and dozens of others were injured on Thursday (August 14) when a massive cloudburst struck a remote mountain village in the Kishtwar district. The tragedy occurred at Chashoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple, earlier in the day. The incident has once again sparked concerns about such disasters that leave a trail of death and destruction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. What is a cloudburst? A cloudburst is a sudden, intense downpour of rain that occurs over a small area in a short period. An event is defined as a cloudburst when rainfall of about 10 cm or above per hour is recorded over a place nearly 10 km x 10 km in area. Cloudbursts are more common in mountainous regions during monsoons. At higher altitudes, moisture-laden clouds are unable to generate rain owing to the upward movement of a very warm current of air. This air current carries raindrops upwards. As they rise, new drops are formed and existing ones grow in size. When the raindrops become too heavy for the cloud to hold, they drop down suddenly at once. Ruchit Kulkarni, an Indian meteorologist studying extreme rainfall at the University of Melbourne, told The Guardian that in the Himalayan foothills, moisture that often comes from the Arabian Sea to the west is swept up by mountains in a phenomenon known as orographic lift. This forms cumulonimbus clouds that can accumulate large rain droplets. 'So we have this moist airflow being lifted up and the cloud gets bigger and bigger and with no chance to have rainfall, it becomes so heavy that at a point, it starts bursting,' explained Kulkarni. This sudden, heavy rain released due to a cloudburst can quickly overwhelm drainage systems in hilly areas, triggering flash floods and landslides. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What happened in J&K's Kishtwar? At least 38 people, including two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, lost their lives after a cloudburst hit the remote mountain village of Chashoti in J&K's Kishtwar district. The death toll could increase, officials have warned, as per PTI. Reports say that 120 people have been rescued, of whom 38 are in serious condition. The cloudburst sparked flash floods at Chashoti village, where many devotees had gathered for the annual Machail Mata yatra. VIDEO | Kishtwar, Himachal Pradesh: Massive cloudburst hits the region; visuals show extensive damage and panic in affected areas. (Full video available on PTI Videos - — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2025 The 8.5-kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high temple begins from this village, which is about 90 kilometres from Kishtwar town. Flash floods washed away several structures, including shops and a security outpost. A langar (community kitchen) set up for the devotees witnessed the brunt of the disaster. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rescue operations are underway, with teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Indian Army and local volunteers on the ground. Army's White Knight Corps said efforts are on to safeguard lives and help the survivors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were among those to express anguish over the tragedy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and CM Abdullah, assuring 'all possible assistance'. ALSO READ: How flash floods wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand village Why is J&K vulnerable? Jammu and Kashmir's topography makes it prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, and snowstorms. The region has also seen a rise in instances of cloudbursts and flash floods in recent years. As per a Greater Kashmir report, the melting of glaciers has led to the formation of glacial lakes in the mountain ranges of Kashmir. As temperatures increase due to global warming, there is an enhanced risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF). The Himalayas are warming, which has caused erratic weather patterns in the region. In Jammu and Kashmir, this makes communities and infrastructure more prone to cryosphere-related hazards, the report noted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The problem could be more devastating if cloudbursts were reported near glacial lakes. Cloudbursts can trigger flash floods in these lakes. Moreover, the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods would severely impact downstream populations due to the sudden outburst of glacial lakes. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Jammu & Kashmir cloudburst: After Kishtwar, flash floods hit Pahalgam's Frislan & Batkoot areas
After a massive cloudburst in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar , flash floods struck Frislan and Batkoot areas of Pahalgam on Thursday, damaging roads and local infrastructure. Independence Day 2025 Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji gave India its own currency Swadeshi 2.0: India is no longer just a market, it's a maker This comes amid an ongoing rescue mission in Kishtwar district and teams continue to recover bodies after a massive cloudburst earlier in the day. According to officials, at least 12 bodies have been recovered from Chasoti village, the last motorable point on the route to the Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar. The incident has also impacted nearby Narang village. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why this MBA won't break the bank SRM Online Learn More Undo — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Rescue personnel fear the toll could rise as operations continue. Live Events Two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with about 180 members equipped with modern rescue tools, have been deployed from Udhampur to Kishtwar. The annual Machail Mata yatra has been suspended. The Jammu & Kashmir administration has set up a control room-cum-help desk in Paddar, around 15 km from the site, with dedicated phone lines for assistance. Additional contact points have been provided through the district and police control rooms. PM Modi has also assured possible assistance to those in need. "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." Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives, stating, 'Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for the quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.' This marks the first major such incident in Jammu & Kashmir this monsoon season. In neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains, flash floods, and cloudbursts have already caused losses of over Rs 2,000 crore, claiming over 240 lives so far.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
Massive cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar, casualties feared
Synopsis: J&K Cloudburst: A massive cloudburst hit Chosoti in J&K's Kishtwar, with casualties feared, prompting immediate rescue efforts. This marks the region's first major weather event this season. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh continues to battle severe monsoon damage, reporting 126 deaths, 36 missing, and Rs 2,031 crore in losses due to flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides since June 20. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads At least 10 persons are feared dead in a massive cloudburst that struck a remote village en route the Machail Mata yatra in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials cloudburst hit Chasoti, the last motorable village en route to the annual yatra to the shrine has been suspended following the incident as authorities mobilised all resources and are heading to the scene to conduct a massive rescue and relief operation, the officials Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma on the matter."A massive Cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site", he said on evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made, he added.J&K LG Manoj Sinha said, "Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for the quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected."This is the first such development from J&K this season. Earlier, Several bridges were washed away in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti districts, while over 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed across the state following fresh incidents of cloudbursts and flash far, since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has incurred losses to the tune of Rs 2,031 crore, officials said on Wednesday. As many as 126 people have died in rain-related incidents in the state this monsoon season, while 36 are missing. The state has witnessed 63 flash flood incidents, 31 cloudbursts and 57 major landslides so far.
