Kishtwar cloudburst claims 60 lives, rescuers race against time in search for survivors
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Rescue teams in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district are working tirelessly to locate survivors after a devastating cloudburst struck Chisoti village — the last motorable point on the route to the Machail Mata temple — at 12:25 pm on Thursday.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed on Friday that at least 60 people have been killed, with many more missing and over 100 injured.
Speaking at an Independence Day function in Srinagar, Abdullah expressed his grief: “This is a joyous day for the people of the country, which is observing Independence Day. But at the same time, the loss of lives in a cloudburst is heartbreaking. According to the information received, some 60 people have lost their lives and many more are missing. We do not know their exact figure.”
He offered condolences to bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, assuring that the government would ensure no shortage of aid.
However, the chief minister also raised concerns about preparedness, noting that authorities had prior warnings of heavy rain between August 13 and 15. “Could we have taken more steps from the government and the administration to save those precious lives? We have to make ourselves accountable,” he said.
The disaster coincided with the annual Machail Mata pilgrimage, which began on July 25 and was to end on September 5. The deluge flattened a makeshift market, a langar site, a security outpost, damaged 16 houses, government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge, and destroyed more than a dozen vehicles.
Rescue efforts, involving the Army, police, NDRF, SDRF, and local volunteers, resumed at first light on Friday despite intermittent rain. Heavy machinery was brought in to clear massive boulders, uprooted trees, and debris. Officials reported that 46 bodies, including those of two CISF personnel, were recovered on Thursday, while 167 injured people were rescued. 69 people remain missing as per relatives’ reports.
Senior officials, including Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, visited the site and nearby hospitals to meet survivors and review operations. Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and SSP Naresh Singh have been stationed in Chisoti since Thursday to coordinate the multi-agency response.
The tragedy struck just over a week after flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village in Uttarakhand, where one person was confirmed dead and 68 remain missing.
Authorities fear the Kishtwar toll could rise further as hopes of finding more survivors fade with each passing hour.
