Kishtwar, August 14: At least 23 people lost their lives and 75 others were injured after a massive cloudburst struck Chositi village in Padder Sub-division of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday. The incident occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggering landslides and flooding in the remote mountainous region.
Authorities have launched a large-scale joint rescue operation involving the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, and local administration. Helicopters have been deployed to airlift the injured to hospitals, while rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid challenging terrain and poor connectivity.
Union Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, confirmed the disaster and said his office was in constant touch with officials to ensure all possible assistance. J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed anguish over the tragedy, directing agencies to intensify rescue and relief efforts.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said resources from within and outside the Union Territory were being mobilised, while Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, along with senior district officials, rushed to the site. The Machail Yatra has been suspended until further notice due to the disaster.
Officials say damage to infrastructure is still being assessed, though locals report extensive destruction in the affected area. Heavy rains and the region’s remoteness continue to hamper rescue operations.
