Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the situation after a massive cloudburst hit a remote village in Kishtwar district, describing the news as “grim and accurate,” while noting that verified information is slow to arrive.
The cloudburst in Chasoti village claimed at least 12 lives and caused extensive damage, officials said.
“I just spoke to Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.
“The news is grim and accurate. Verified information from the area hit by the cloudburst is slow to arrive. All possible resources are being mobilised from within and beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations,” he added.
Abdullah also stated that he would not be speaking to TV channels or news agencies, noting that “the government will share information as and when possible.”
The disaster struck Chasoti — the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple — between 12 noon and 1 pm, when a large number of devotees had gathered for the Machail Mata Yatra. The 8.5 km trek to the shrine begins from this village. (Agencies)
