According to the reports on Friday (15 August), a massive cloudburst struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon (14 August, local time), hitting the Chositi area of Paddar sub-division and triggering a flash flood. The disaster has so far claimed 45 lives and left over 120 injured, with fears that the toll may rise as many remain missing. The remote location, being the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, added to the challenges of rescue operations. Among the deceased were two CISF personnel and several pilgrims visiting the temple.
The force of the cloudburst unleashed mudslides and debris flows that buried homes, shops, and vehicles, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Authorities have identified 21 of the recovered bodies, while efforts are ongoing to identify the rest, including sharing photographs with families. The flash flood’s sudden impact left hundreds stranded, and the situation remains critical with the possibility of more casualties. Local residents have joined forces with officials in the massive rescue effort.
Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately after the incident, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), J&K Police, Fire Services, CISF, CRPF, and the Indian Army. Troops from the Army’s White Knight Corps were mobilised swiftly, deploying over five columns of 60 personnel each, supported by medical teams. Injured victims have been evacuated to hospitals for urgent treatment, while search operations continue for those missing.
Officials, including BJP MLA Sunil Sharma, have expressed concern that the toll may increase as around 1,200 people were present at the location when the cloudburst struck. The authorities are working round the clock, despite the difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions, to locate survivors and provide relief to those affected. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the region, particularly during the pilgrimage season, highlighting the vulnerability of mountainous areas to sudden natural disasters.
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Death Toll Rises to 45 in Kishtwar Cloudburst as Massive Rescue Effort Continues
