Jammu: A massive cloudburst struck the remote mountain village of Chositi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, claiming at least 30 lives, including two CISF personnel, officials said. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as more people are believed to be trapped. So far, 120 people have been rescued, with 38 in serious condition.
A large-scale rescue operation has been launched involving the NDRF, SDRF, police, Army, and local volunteers. Two additional NDRF teams were deployed to strengthen relief efforts.
The disaster hit Chositi, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm. Hundreds of devotees had gathered for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and is scheduled to conclude on September 5. The 8.5-kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine starts from Chositi.
Chositi, located about 90 kilometres from Kishtwar town, saw several structures—including a community kitchen (‘langar’), shops, and a security outpost—washed away by flash floods triggered by the cloudburst. The langar was reportedly crowded with devotees at the time of the disaster.
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and the senior superintendent of police personally supervised rescue operations at the site. Additional NDRF teams from Jammu were also mobilised to accelerate the relief work. The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed swift mobilization for rescue operations, stating efforts are focused on safeguarding lives, aiding survivors, and locating the missing. Relief stores, medical teams, and rescue equipment were rushed to the area.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the incident and said he had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner regarding immediate rescue measures. Following the tragedy, the annual Machail Mata Yatra was suspended.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences and directed authorities to reinforce rescue and relief operations. Opposition leader Sunil Kumar Sharma reported significant damage, noting the large gathering for the yatra at the time. Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also extended his condolences and urged the government to ensure swift rescue and relief efforts.
BJP leader Jehanzaib Sirwal highlighted broader concerns over the unchecked proliferation of power projects in Kishtwar, stressing that ongoing development without proper environmental assessments could exacerbate future disasters.
