A powerful cloudburst struck Chashoti village near the Machail Mata Shrine in Kishtwar district on August 15, resulting in at least 56 deaths, including two members of the CISF, with over 250 individuals still unaccounted for. More than 300 people have been rescued, many of whom sustained serious injuries, as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate additional survivors.
The disaster, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, triggered flash floods that destroyed temporary structures, a community kitchen catering to approximately 200 pilgrims, and security installations. As tents and makeshift shelters were swept away, authorities suspended the annual Machail Mata Yatra indefinitely.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, offering full support. Abdullah expressed gratitude on social media, stating, “I just received a call from Hon PM @narendramodi Sb… My government and the people affected by this tragic cloudburst are thankful for his support and all assistance provided by the Union Government.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh cautioned that there could be “substantial casualties.” He confirmed that rescue teams from Civil Administration, Police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF are actively engaged in the area. Inclement weather and damaged roads have hindered air operations, necessitating ground-based efforts for the ongoing evacuation and search operations.
Medical response efforts have been amplified with 13 doctors, 31 paramedics, and specialized teams deployed to several hospitals, including Sub-District Hospital Paddar, District Hospital Kishtwar, and Government Medical College Jammu, which is equipped with 50 disaster beds, 20 ventilator beds, and five operating theaters. The response also includes over 200 units of blood that have been stocked, while critical care and neurosurgery specialists from PGIMER Chandigarh have been sent to bolster emergency care in Jammu.
A fleet of 65 ambulances from various agencies, including the Army and CRPF, is transporting injured individuals to medical facilities. Active control rooms and helplines remain in place as search and rescue teams, supported by volunteers, continue to scour riverbanks downstream from the site of the disaster. Authorities are concerned that the death toll may increase as many regions remain isolated.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/national/kishtwar-cloudburst-56-dead-search-for-250-missing-intensifies-1588336
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Publish Date: 2025-08-15 17:42:00
