12 Dead, Several Missing After Cloudburst Hits Jammu’s Kishtwar, Rescue Ops Underway
A devastating cloudburst struck Chishoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, killing at least 12 people and leaving many injured. Rescue teams, including NDRF and SDRF, are working to locate missing persons and provide aid to affected areas.
Kevin Varchand 
Jammu & Kashmir August 14: At least 12 bodies have been recovered after a massive cloudburst hit Chishoti village in the Padder sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, news agency PTI reported, citing officials who suspected that the toll could rise.
Massive Disaster at Chasoti
The disaster hit Chasoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm when a large number of people had gathered for the Machail Mata yatra. From there begins the 8.5 km trek to the shrine.
Chasoti is at an altitude of 9,500 ft and about 90 km from Kishtwar. A ‘langar’ set up for devotees bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flash floods.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh
Union minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Kishtwar deputy commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma after being alerted by leader of opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma.
“Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made. My office is receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided,” Jitendra Singh posted on X.
Reacting to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha said he has directed civil, police, army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations.
“Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected,” he posted on X.
Heavy Monsoon in India
The country is experiencing heavy monsoon rainfall, with hilly areas being the worst affected, especially in Uttarakhand. Cloudbursts, floods, and landslides have caused significant loss of life and property earlier, roads were blocked in Nandprayag in Chamoli district due to a landslide following rainfall, days after the cloudburst in Uttarkashi, which left behind a trail of destruction District magistrate of Chamoli district Sandeep Tiwari said work is going on to open the road blocked due to the landslide in Nandprayag due to rain.
He added that apart from this, all the roads in the district are smooth.
The bridge connecting Uttarkashi to Harsil has been reconstructed to facilitate easy movement of machinery and relief material in the aftermath of the cloudburst and flash floods that caused mass destruction in Dharali and Harsil of Uttarkashi district on August 5.
A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlements on August 5. The cloudburst led to flash floods in the high-altitude villages of Dharali. Several houses were reported to have been swept away.
