Rescue teams work through flash flood debris after a massive cloudburst in Chishoti, Kishtwar, that killed at least 12 people on the Machail Mata Yatra route
A massive cloudburst struck Chishoti village in J&K’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing over 30 people and injuring around 100, out of whom 12 bodies have been recovered. The disaster hit between 12 noon and 1 pm, when hundreds were on the Machail Mata Yatra. Chasoti, the last motorable point before the 8.5 km trek to the shrine, bore the brunt. A ‘langar’ set up for devotees suffered severe damage as flash floods followed. Officials fear the death toll could rise.
Rescue teams moved swiftly. Civil, police, army, NDRF, and SDRF personnel are on the ground. The remote location, 90 km from Kishtwar and at 9,500 ft, makes operations difficult.
PM Modi has shown condolences to the people affected in the area and assured that the situation has been closely monitored. Union minister Jitendra Singh spoke to Kishtwar DC Pankaj Kumar Sharma soon after being alerted by local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. He confirmed rescue teams were en route and damage assessment was underway. His office is receiving constant updates.
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J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, briefing him on the grim situation. Abdullah urged patience, saying information from the site is slow due to the terrain. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed anguish and ordered intensified rescue and relief efforts.
This tragedy comes amid heavy monsoon rainfall across hilly states. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are reeling from repeated cloudbursts, floods, and landslides. In Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, landslides blocked roads in Nandprayag after earlier devastation in Uttarkashi on August 5. There, a cloudburst destroyed homes in Dharali and Harsil, sweeping away property and triggering flash floods.
In Himachal Pradesh, flash floods have caused massive damage. Officials report 396 roads closed, houses damaged, vehicles washed away, and several panchayats cut off. The local meteorological office has issued a ‘yellow’ alert until August 20.
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The Kishtwar disaster underlines a growing crisis—Himalayan states are facing more intense, frequent cloudbursts. Climate change, vulnerable ecosystems, and unregulated construction are cited by experts. Pilgrimage routes are frequently facing additional challenges. Areas which are in high-altitude and flood-prone areas are of special concern during the monsoon.
For devotees, these journeys are spiritual milestones. In a dangerous setting, they pose logistical challenges for authorities. Thursday's events underscore the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness, travel limitations during significant precipitation, and better warning systems.
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