Kishtwar 16th August: – The search-and-rescue operation in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district entered its third day here today following a devastating cloudburst that triggered flash floods on Wednesday (August 14). The disaster, which struck at around 12:25 PM, has claimed at least 65 lives, with 40 bodies identified so far. Hundreds of people have been rescued, but more than 70 remain missing, while 180 were injured—40 of them in critical condition.
Multiple agencies, including three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), over 300 Army personnel, the White Knight Corps medical team, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police, and local volunteers, are engaged in the operation. The injured have been shifted to hospitals in Kishtwar and Jammu.
The tragedy struck when hundreds of devotees had gathered in Chasoti, the first stop of the Holy Machail Mata Yatra, an annual pilgrimage to the revered shrine located at 9,500 feet. The yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to continue till September 5, sees heavy footfall, with pilgrims setting up tents, langars (community kitchens), and temporary shops—all of which were swept away in the sudden deluge.
Chasoti, located 90 km from Kishtwar town, lies in the Padder Valley, surrounded by steep mountains ranging from 1,818 to 3,888 meters in height. The area’s glacial slopes and sharp gradients amplified the water flow, causing massive destruction. The only motorable road ends at Chasoti, forcing rescuers to carry survivors on their backs through mud and debris.
Senior officials, including the IGP Jammu, IG CRPF Jammu Sector head, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, and Kishtwar’s DC & SSP Kishtwar, are overseeing operations. The Army has deployed five columns (60 personnel each) alongside medical teams to assist survivors.
The pilgrimage remains suspended for the third consecutive day as authorities prioritize rescue and relief. Locals and security forces are working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide essential aid, with special attention to women, children, and the elderly. For now, the focus remains on saving lives and providing solace to grieving families.
