ibn sultan
Jammu, Aug 14: Large-scale rescue and relief operations have been launched after a massive cloudburst struck a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 28 people and leading to widespread damage, officials said.
The disaster hit Chositi, the last motorable village en route to Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm, when a large number of people had gathered for the Machail Mata yatra.
The 8.5 kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine begins from Chositi.At least 28 persons are confirmed dead but there are fears that the toll could rise further, officials said, adding that 65 people have been rescued so far.
Chositi is about 90 kilometres from Kishtwar town. A ‘langar’ (community kitchen) set up for the devotees here bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flash floods and washed away several structures including shops and a security outpost.
Immediately after the calamity struck, Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, mobilised rescue teams and headed towards the spot to personally supervise the operations along with the Senior Superintendent of Police.
“A massive cloudburst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in an X post. The minister said he also spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner on the matter.
The annual yatra to the Machail Mata shrine was suspended following the tragedy as the authorities mobilised all resources for rescue operations at Chositi, officials said.
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been rushed from Udhampur to Kishtwar.”Massive rescue operations have been started in the area,” said the deputy commissioner, who was on way to the spot.Officials added that the flash floods hit several houses clustered together in the foothills.Lt Gov Manoj Sinha condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
“Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of the injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected,” he said on X.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma said he had received information from his workers that a massive cloudburst has occurred.
“At the moment, I don’t think anyone has exact figures but I believe there could be significant damage in the area,” he said, adding that there were a lot of people gathered for the yatra.Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed grief over the incident.”Deeply saddened by the cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar.
