JAMMU: At least 38 people, including two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, are feared dead and 100 injured after a massive cloudburst caused a flash flood in the Chashoti village of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir's Thursday afternoon. The local Army unit has also joined the rescue operations.
According to officials from police control room in Kishtwar, 38 bodies have been recovered, and there are fears that the death count could go up. Some visuals shared on the social media showed people being evacuated from cloudburst hit village.
Chashoti is the base point for the Machail Mata Yatra, as well as the last motorable village on the way to the mountain shrine of Mata Chandi in Kishtwar. The annual yatra has been suspended after the flash floods, officials said.
"A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma.
Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Army, and local volunteers, launched a large-scale rescue operation. Two additional NDRF teams from Jammu and Udhampur were deployed to intensify the search and rescue efforts.
“Massive rescue operations have been started in the area," said the deputy commissioner, speaking en route to Chashoti.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said every possible help is being given.
"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," the Prime Minister posted on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on X that he had spoken to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister, and National Disaster Response Force teams have been rushed to the site.
"Spoke with the LG 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. 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," he wrote.
The Army's White Knight Corps said it has joined the rescue and relief operations.
"In the aftermath of a cloudburst at Chisoti (Chashoti) village, Kishtwar, troops of White Knight Corps swiftly mobilised for rescue and relief ops (operations). Efforts are centred on safeguarding lives and aiding survivors. Search for missing continues. Relief stores, medical teams and rescue gear rushed to site. We Serve, We Protect," the Corps said in a post.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's office said he is in touch with the district administration and all relief measures are being taken. "Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar, extending condolences to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister's office is in touch with the district administration, and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken," it said.
"In light of the tragedy caused by the cloud burst in Kishtwar I have taken the decision to cancel the "At Home" tea party tomorrow 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 chief minister said in a post on X.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed the police, Army, and disaster response agencies to strengthen the rescue operations.
"Anguished by cloudburst in Chashoti Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected," he said.
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