Srinagar: A massive cloudburst hit Kishtwar district on Thursday leaving at least 50 persons dead and 120 injured. Over 200 people are reported missing.
The cloudburst hit Chasothi area in Kishtwar this afternoon.
An official said, “The rescue operations were launched immediately and the death toll could rise as many people remained displaced. Massive search efforts are underway.”
Following the cloudburst the flash flood struck the Chashoti area in Kishtwar, a key point along the route of the annual Machail Mata Yatra. The pilgrimage, which began on July 25 and is scheduled to continue until September 5, draws thousands of devotees each year to the revered Chandi Mata temple in Machail, located in the remote Paddar Valley.
“So far, 50 bodies have been recovered. Nearly 120 are injured, and around 200 are still missing. Rescue teams are facing difficulty due to damaged roads, but operations are continuing round the clock,” the official said, adding that the property worth crores including vehicles and residential structures have been damaged.
Officials said the disaster washed away 10 houses, four temples, four government offices, and a bridge that was crowded with pilgrims.
As rescue teams continue to clear debris and conduct search operations in the aftermath of the cloudburst, families of the missing individuals endure a night filled with uncertainty and apprehension. For them, this night represents not rest but a relentless wait against time.
Witnesses said that some hold photographs of their loved ones, while others repeatedly trying to contact them via mobile phones, receiving no response. They added that there is no information or confirmation about their whereabouts—(KNO)
