52 Killed In J&K Cloudburst

Srinagar: A devastating cloudburst struck Chositi, a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's eastern Kishtwar district, on Thursday, killing at least 52 people, including two CISF personnel and injuring over 120. Around 200 remain missing, while 167 have been rescued, many of them injured. According to official sources, more are feared trapped, suggesting the death toll may rise.

According to sources, Chositi, the last motorable point on the route to Machail Mata temple, was hit by the cloudburst between noon and 1 pm. Late Thursday night, official sources reported that the death toll from the massive cloudburst has climbed to 52, as more bodies were recovered.

Describing the loss of lives from the cloudburst as “deeply tragic”, President Droupadi Murmu sent her condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured every possible assistance to those in need. Union home minister Amit Shah spoke with J&K L-G Manoj Sinha and J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah to take stock of the situation.

Most of the victims are said to be pilgrims on the annual yatra to Chandi Mata Temple in the Machail village. The flash floods caused by the cloudburst destroyed ten homes, a security force camp, four temples, four government offices and a bridge crowded with pilgrims. The disaster also swept away a community kitchen (langar), a CRPF camp, several houses, vehicles and a parking lot in the remote village, located at 9,500 feet and 90 km from Kishtwar town, the officials said.

The death toll in the impact of the cloudburst varies across reports, reflecting the chaotic nature of the disaster and challenges in verifying information in real time. One report said that 38 bodies were recovered by Thursday evening. However, other sources provide different figures.

Some reports indicate at least 42 people died, with 98 rescued, citing two NDRF teams deployed to the area. Another source mentions 33 deaths and over 150 injuries.

The officials warned that the death toll may rise due to the severity of the flash floods caused by the cloudburst. "Many people who have gone missing are feared dead or injured," an official said over the phone from Kishtwar, 245 km from winter capital Jammu.

They also said that during the next 24 hours, more cloudbursts and flash floods may occur in the region and over some more parts of J&K due to strong cloud formation.

As Chositi falls en route to the Chandi Mata shrine, the yatra to the revered place of Hindu worship has been halted. Tens of thousands of devotees travel to Machail village to worship at the Chandi Mata temple and seek blessings from Goddess Durga, known as Machail Mata, during the annual yatra. This year's yatra started on July 25 and is scheduled to end on September 5.

Rescue operations by the NDRF, SDRF, Army, police and volunteers are ongoing, but bad weather and washed-out roads are hampering efforts.

The Army's Nagrota (Jammu)-based 16 Corps, also called the White Knight Corps, stated that efforts are underway to protect lives and assist survivors. “In the aftermath of a cloudburst at Chositi village, Kishtwar, troops of the White Knight Corps swiftly mobilised for rescue and relief ops (operations). Efforts are centred on saving lives and aiding survivors. The search for the missing continues. Relief stores, medical teams and rescue gear rushed to the site. We Serve, We Protect,” it said in an X post.

Jammu's divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar confirmed that SDRF teams and other agencies are actively engaged in rescue efforts at the site. “We are doing everything possible to save lives and provide immediate support,” he stated.

Union minister Jitendra Singh, alerted by Leader of the Opposition J&K and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma, described the cloudburst as a large-scale disaster with the potential for substantial casualties.

“Rescue teams are on the ground, and arrangements for heli-rescue and medical care are in progress,” Mr Singh said, pledging full support. He also noted discussions with deputy commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma to coordinate the response.

The J&K lieutenant-governor expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to affected families and prayers for the injured. “I’ve instructed civil, police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF officials to intensify rescue and relief operations and ensure comprehensive assistance for those impacted,” Mr Sinha posted on X.

Mr Abdullah briefed Mr Shah on the situation. He wrote on 'X', "I just spoke to the Union home minister @AmitShah Sahab to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. 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 & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible."

The Union home minister also took to X to say, "Spoke with the L-G and chief minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site." He further stated, "We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need."

The President described the loss of lives from the cloudburst as deeply tragic. In a Hindi post on X, Ms Murmu offered her heartfelt condolences to the affected families and prayed for the success of ongoing relief and rescue efforts.

The President stated: "The news of several deaths due to a cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu-Kashmir, is extremely tragic. I express my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and pray for the success of relief and rescue operations."

The Prime Minister expressed grief over the devastation and loss of lives caused by the cloudburst, sharing his sentiments on X. He stated: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need.

Considering the significant loss of lives, Mr Abdullah cancelled the "At Home" and cultural events for Independence Day celebrations. In a post on X, he said, "In light of the tragedy caused by the cloudburst in Kishtwar, I have taken the decision to cancel the 'At Home' tea party tomorrow (Friday) evening. We have also decided not to go ahead with the cultural events during the morning Independence Day celebrations. The formal events -- speech, march past etc — will go ahead as planned."

The authorities, including Kishtwar DC and senior superintendent of police Naresh Singh, rushed to the area to oversee operations, officials said.

A team led by the sub-divisional magistrate, Padder, is already on-site, managing the response to the disaster, officials in Jammu had said earlier.

Meanwhile, the meteorological centre in Srinagar has issued a weather advisory predicting light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places across J&K till August 15, with the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in several districts of the Jammu division.

Meteorological depaertment director Mukhtar Ahmad said that areas, including Reasi, Udhampur, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Ramban in the Jammu division, along with a few parts of the Kashmir division, may witness brief intense showers accompanied by gusty winds.

The meteorological office has warned of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at vulnerable locations during this period, urging people to stay away from water bodies, riverbanks and unstable structures.

For August 16, the weather is expected to remain generally hot and humid, with brief showers in some areas, while August 17-18 could see another spell of moderate to heavy rainfall at many places in the Jammu division.