The situation remains dire in the remote village of Chashoti in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. Relief and rescue operations continued for the third consecutive day on Saturday. According to the latest information, this devastating accident has claimed the lives of 60 people, while more than 100 have been injured.
Kishtwar Cloudburst: The Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir is currently grappling with a severe natural disaster. A cloudburst in Chashoti village has caused widespread devastation due to flash floods and landslides. The death toll has been confirmed at 60, with over 100 people injured. Many families are still searching for their loved ones, as approximately 75 people are reported missing. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing for the third day.
Visit by Union Minister and DGP
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, along with Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat, reached the affected area late Friday night. He reviewed the relief operations being carried out by the police, army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), BRO, civil administration, and local volunteers.
So far, 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families. However, local residents claim that hundreds of people may have been swept away or buried under the floodwaters and debris.
Security Forces Personnel Also Affected
According to officials, the deceased include two personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and a Special Police Officer (SPO) from the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The disaster struck around 12:25 PM on August 14 when pilgrims were en route to the Machail Mata Temple. Temporary markets, community kitchens (langar) and a security checkpoint were completely destroyed by the flood. Additionally, 16 residential houses, three temples, four watermills, a 30-meter-long bridge, and dozens of vehicles were also ravaged.
The Machail Mata Yatra, which runs annually from July 25 to September 5, remained suspended for the third consecutive day due to the disaster. To reach this temple, situated at an altitude of 9,500 feet, pilgrims must undertake an 8.5-kilometer trek. The journey commences from Chashoti village, approximately 90 kilometers from Kishtwar city.
Since the disaster, rescue teams have faced immense difficulties in reaching the affected area. Specialized NDRF teams, dog squads, and a dozen earthmovers have been deployed to remove debris and search for the missing.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's Visit
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, arrived in Kishtwar on Friday evening. He stated that the tragedy was extremely unfortunate and that the state government was providing all possible assistance. Today (Saturday), he will visit the disaster-affected Chashoti village and meet with local residents. He mentioned that he had discussed the incident with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The Prime Minister expressed his condolences and assured all possible central assistance.
Partial Success in Rescue Operations
So far, rescue teams have pulled 167 people alive from the debris. Among them, 38 are reported to be in critical condition and have been admitted to nearby hospitals. The Chief Minister stated that the death toll has reached 60, and 60 to 70 people are still missing. However, he also mentioned that some people are exaggerating the numbers.
Local residents of Chashoti told the media that the flood was so b that people could not even react. Entire homes of many families were buried under the debris. In a conversation with the media, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that this is not just a matter of relief and rescue, but we also need to investigate why the administration did not take adequate steps despite the weather department's warnings.
