A massive cloudburst struck the remote village of Chashoti in the Paddar Sub-Division of Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, including two CISF personnel and several Machail Mata pilgrims. Two additional deaths were reported in Rajouri due to landslides and wall collapses. Over 120 people have been rescued so far, with 38 in serious condition, and scores remain missing.
The disaster destroyed 10 houses, six government buildings, three temples, four water mills (gharats), two cattle sheds, a 30-metre span bridge, and several vehicles. A langar shed set up for pilgrims was also washed away. Many electric poles were uprooted, cutting off power supply to Chashoti, Machail, and nearby villages.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately by the SDRF, police, Army, BRO, and local volunteers, with two additional NDRF teams mobilized from Jammu. The White Knight Corps of the Army joined the efforts to safeguard lives and aid survivors.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma and SSP Naresh Singh personally supervised rescue operations. Heavy machinery, including JCBs and floodlights, were deployed to remove debris and search for missing persons during both day and night.
Several dignitaries expressed grief over the tragedy. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Lt Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta, former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and local leaders including Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA Paddar, and Shagun Parihar, MLA Kishtwar, condoled the loss of lives and assured support to the victims.
Due to the calamity, the annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25, was suspended. Rescue operations continue at Chashoti, with medical teams deployed to provide immediate treatment. District Hospital Kishtwar, GMC Doda, and GMC Jammu were reinforced with doctors, paramedics, disaster beds, ventilators, and operation theatres. PGIMER Chandigarh also sent critical care specialists to support the operations.
In Rajouri district, torrential rains of 108 mm in 24 hours caused landslides, road blockages, and property damage. A wall collapse in Sunderbani killed a 5th-grade girl, while others were injured. Rivers and streams overflowed in Mendhar, Poonch, and Akhnoor, disrupting transport and triggering alerts. Roads including Reasi-Mahore-Chassana-Budhal, Gulabbgarh, Mahore-Gool, and Mendhar-Jammu were blocked due to landslides and floods. The flood gates at Salad Dam were opened as the Chenab River neared alert levels.
Authorities are prioritizing rescue, relief, and restoration of essential services while urging residents to avoid rivers, streams, and hilly areas.
(Agencies)
