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India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
J&K cloudburst deaths rise to 60, hundreds still missing as rescue ops intensify
The death toll from the massive cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar climbed to 60 on Friday, even as intense rescue operations continued for the second day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of people remain missing after flash floods swept through the region on the Machail Mata Yatra route to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi, with many feared buried under the far, 167 people have been rescued in injured condition, and the condition of 38 among them is said to be serious. Many more are believed to be trapped following the deluge, which flattened a makeshift market, a langar (community kitchen) site for the yatra, and a security outpost. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that 60 were dead and over 100 injured in the cloudburst in Kishtwar on Thursday. With a large number of people, mostly devotees, gathered in Chositi for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, officials fear the casualty count may rise as rescue and search operations continue. According to BJP leader Suni Sharma, nearly 1,200 people were present at the site. In addition to the makeshift camps and shops set up for the Yatra, the flash floods in Chositi and downstream damaged at least 16 residential houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre-span bridge, and more than a dozen vehicles. In view of the disaster, the district administration has cancelled Independence Day celebrations in Kishtwar. The Deputy Commissioner ordered that the ceremony be limited to flag hoisting and the national anthem, with no cultural events or at-home tea parties to be conducted. Out of 46 bodies retrieved so far, 21 have been identified by their families and the rest are being identified, officials said. A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached cloudburst-hit village on Friday, and two more teams are on their way. The Army has also inducted one more column to intensify the search and rescue operation, they said. Rashtriya Rifles troops have joined the operation. The exact number of stranded people remains unknown, as communication and connectivity beyond the disaster site have been cut off. Hundreds are stranded in the two villages ahead of the cloudburst-hit belt with mobile phones dead after power supply was snapped. Adverse weather has hampered rescue operations, with helicopters grounded due to poor visibility. Multiple earthmovers are being deployed to clear the boulders and massive trees that have buried the village. The J&K Police has placed the entire region on high alert, with dedicated teams stationed to respond to any emergency amid the prevailing weather conditions. In coordination with the district administration, control rooms and help desks have been activated across the district to assist citizens and pilgrims, particularly in vulnerable and remote areas. Disaster struck Chositi was the the last motorable village on the way to Machail Mata temple. A large number of people had gathered there for the annual yatra that began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5. The yatra remained suspended for the second day on Friday. - EndsTune InMust Watch
NDTV
4 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
At Least 12 Dead After Massive Cloudburst In J&K's Kishtwar, Rescue Ops On
At least 12 people have been killed after a massive cloudburst caused a flash flood in the Chashoti village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district this afternoon. Rescue teams have been rushed to the spot and visuals showed pilgrims being evacuated. Officials told news agency PTI that 12 bodies have been recovered and there are fears that the toll could rise, officials said Chashoti is the starting point for the Machail Mata Yatra, as well as the last motorable village on the way to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi in Kishtwar. The annual yatra has been suspended after the flash floods, officials said. "A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma, who is on his way to the cloudburst-hit area along with Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh. Show Full
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Devastating cloudburst kills 33 and injures 120 as torrent tears through town
Officials expect the death toll to climb after at least 33 people were killed when a cloudburst struck a remote pilgrimage town in India's Jammu and Kashmir region At least 33 people are dead and more than 120 injured after a cloudburst hit a remote Indian village. A cloudburst, which typically occurs in mountainous regions, is a sudden and intense localised downpour that happens within a short period of time. In some places, as much as four inches of rain can fall in an hour, leading to flash flooding and landslides. The freak natural event happened along a pilgrimage trail in Chositi, a village in the Himalayan mountain range of Jammu and Kashmir this afternoon, with more than 220 people reported missing. The death toll continues to climb as Indian officials say they expect more fatalities with rescuers searching the area for survivors. At the time of writing, 65 people have been rescued, according to local media. The sudden burst lead to massive flash floods and destroyed buildings, with rescuers now racing to find survivors and evacuate those not swept away or trapped by the torrents. Terrifying footage has emerged from the site near the Mata Chandi shrine, where pilgrims were making their way to worship the revered Hindu goddess. The clips show rescue workers and local officials evacuating pilgrims from the starting point of the procession trail. Another video shows authorities telling people to move to safety as the raging torrents cascade down the mountain. Local politician Omar Abdullah said the government has been briefed about the situation, admitting that it took too long for local authorities to receive verified information about the cloudburst. He said: "All possible resources are being mobilised from within and beyond Jammu and Kashmir to manage the rescue operations". India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those whose lives were lost. He said: "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." Another politician, Jitendra Singh, said the country is expecting "substantial casualties" after the cloudburst incident. 'The administration has immediately swung into action, and the rescue team has left for the site. Damage evacuation and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made.' Mr Singh said. Cloudbursts happen when warm air rises too quickly over mountains, where it then rapidly cools and turns into heavy rain. They can also be caused by the sudden collision of hot and cold air, or a strong upward movement of air.
India Today
5 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
15 dead after massive cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar
At least 15 people have died and more than 50 others have been injured after a massive cloudburst struck Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The disaster hit along the route of the Machail Mata Yatra to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi, leaving the pilgrimage trail in chaos.A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who was on duty for the yatra was among the dead. Three other CISF jawans are teams rushed to the scene immedaitely, with large-scale operations now underway to search for survivors and evacuate those trapped. advertisementVideos from the site show pilgrims being hurriedly evacuated from the starting point of the yatra. Another clip captures a raging flash flood triggered by the cloudburst, with authorities shouting for people to move back to safety. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the incident in Chositi, near the shrine, 'could result in substantial casualties.' He said he spoke to Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent alert from LoP Jammu and Kashmir and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma.'The administration has immediately swung into action, and the rescue team has left for the site. Damage evacuation and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made.' he Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, confirmed that rescue operations have been launched in the affected and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished by the cloudburst and added, "Condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured." He further directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to those affected.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir
NDTV
5 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Jammu And Kashmir Cloudburst Live Updates: Massive Cloudburst In J&K's Chashoti, Rescue Ops Underway
New Delhi: A massive cloudburst in Chashoti in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district occurred on Thursday afternoon, resulting in flash floods. Chashoti is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi in Kishtwar. The cloudburst could result in substantial casualties, said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. "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," he noted in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Here are the Live Updates on cloudburst in J&K's Chashoti: "Massive" Cloudburst, Could Lead To "Substantial Casualties": Union Minister Jitendra Singh The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Jammu & Kashmir cloudburst. "We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the incident," he added. "The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties. We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the… — NDTV (@ndtv) August 14, 2025 Aug 14, 2025 14:45 (IST) J&K Cloudburst: What Causes Cloudbursts Cloudbursts happen when warm, moist air quickly rises over mountains, cools down, and turns into heavy rain. This process, called orographic lift, causes the air to release a large amount of rain in a short time. Other factors like the sudden mixing of warm and cold air, strong upward air movement (convection), and high moisture in the air at high altitudes can also lead to cloudbursts. Aug 14, 2025 14:43 (IST) Explained: What Is A Cloudburst A cloudburst is an extreme amount of rainfall in a short period, often over a small geographical area. It typically occurs in mountainous regions and can lead to sudden flash floods and landslides. The term refers not to a literal bursting cloud but to rapid precipitation from cumulonimbus clouds, sometimes accompanied by thunder or hail. By definition, a cloudburst involves 100 mm (4 inches) or more of rainfall within an hour. That is roughly the amount of rain some cities receive in a month, all in under 60 minutes. Aug 14, 2025 14:28 (IST) Share J&K Cloudburst: Massive Cloudburst Struck Chashoti Area Massive cloudburst struck Chishoti area in the Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, along the route to the Machail Matta Yatra. Casualties are feared, though further details and official confirmation are awaited. — Rakesh Kumar (@RiCkY_847) August 14, 2025 Aug 14, 2025 14:15 (IST) J&K Cloudburst: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Assures Assistance To Victims Sharing the news of the cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that it could lead to substantial causalities. :Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made. My office receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided," he wrote in a post on X. Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma. Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into… — Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 14, 2025 J&K Cloudburst: J&K Lieutenant-Governor Expresses Condolences Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of injured, a post from the Office of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha read. The Lieutenant-Governor informed that civil, police, army, and teams of NDRF and SDRF have been directed to strengthen the rescue and relief operations. Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for 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. — Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 14, 2025
