Jammu and Kashmir cloudburst tragedy: Over 60 pilgrims dead, 100 injured in Kishtwar flash floods

PTC Web Desk: At least 60 persons, most of them pilgrims, were killed in flash floods triggered by a massive cloudburst on the Machail Mata Yatra route at Chasoti village in Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed on Friday. More than 100 persons sustained injuries, and rescue teams fear the death toll could rise as several remain missing.

Most of the victims were devotees trekking to the 9,500-feet-high Machail Mata temple. The disaster struck Chasoti — the last motorable point on the pilgrimage route — between 12 noon and 1 pm, when hundreds of pilgrims had gathered for the annual yatra. The final 8.5-km trek to the shrine begins from this village.

So far, over 160 persons have been rescued, with 38 in serious condition. Rescue operations are ongoing in challenging terrain amid heavy rains and debris. The body of one Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official has been recovered, while three others deployed for internal security duties during the yatra remain missing. A community kitchen, or ‘langar,’ set up for pilgrims, bore the brunt of the cloudburst and subsequent flash floods.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he had spoken to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma after being alerted by local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. He tweeted, “Massive cloudburst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualties. The administration has immediately swung into action. Rescue teams have left for the site, and necessary medical and relief arrangements are being made.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation, assuring that all available resources from within and outside Jammu & Kashmir are being mobilised to support rescue efforts.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences and directed civil, police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF officials to strengthen relief and rescue operations. “Directed all agencies to ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected,” he tweeted.

The incident comes amid heavy monsoon rainfall across the country, with hilly regions like Uttarakhand facing severe cloudbursts, floods, and landslides. In Uttarakhand, a landslide blocked the road in Nandprayag, Chamoli district, while cloudbursts in Uttarkashi on August 5 triggered flash floods in Dharali and Harsil, sweeping away houses and causing massive destruction. The bridge connecting Uttarkashi to Harsil has been reconstructed to facilitate movement of machinery and relief materials.

In Himachal Pradesh, flash floods and cloudbursts have caused extensive damage in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti districts. Officials reported 396 roads closed, vehicles washed away, houses damaged, and some panchayats in Shimla cut off. Rainfall measurements since Wednesday night include Kandaghat (100 mm), Jatton Barrage (87 mm), Una (85.4 mm), Solan (81.4 mm), Olinda (76 mm), and Shimla (69 mm). The state meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' alert, warning of heavy rains at isolated locations until August 20.