Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation following a massive cloudburst in the remote village of Chasoti in Kishtwar district. Abdullah described the news as “grim and accurate,” noting that verified information from the affected area is slow to arrive.
The cloudburst claimed at least 12 lives and caused widespread damage, officials said.
“I just spoke to Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him on the developing situation in Kishtwar. The news is grim & accurate. Verified information from the area hit by the cloudburst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised from within and beyond J&K to support rescue operations,” Abdullah posted on X.
He added that he would not be speaking to television channels or news agencies, stating, “The government will share information as & when possible.”
The disaster struck Chasoti—the last motorable village on the route to the Machail Mata temple—between 12 noon and 1 pm, when many pilgrims had gathered for the Machail Mata yatra. From there, an 8.5 km trek leads to the shrine.
