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At least 20 people died and 98 others were rescued after a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday, August 14.
The cloudburst struck J&K's remote
village Chasoti on the route of Machail Mata Yatra, between 12 noon and 1 pm, when a large number of people had gathered. The 8.5 kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine begins from Chositi.
The yatra has been suspended after the disaster struck the village, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
Authorities immediately rushed to the spot and commenced the rescue operations.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
Chositi is
about 90 kms 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.
Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about the incident. "Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. A massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casuality."
"Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made," he added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, said. "A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," as per ANI.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir said, "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," in a statement released by his office on X.
Amit Shah speaks with J&K CM
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the cloudburst, while assuring all possible help to the people.
"Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on
the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need," the home minister wrote on X.
Omar Abdullah, the J&K CM, said, "I just spoke to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news
is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst is slow in arriving."
"All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible," he added.
'Take global warming seriously': Farooq Abdullah urges PM
Jammu Kashmir National Conference party chief Farooq Abdullah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take global warming
seriously.
"I would like to tell the Prime Minister to take the issue of global warming very seriously. This has become very common in hilly areas. One or the other method will have to be looked for to overcome this. So, I appeal to him to think in this hour of grief about how this can be remedied," he told reporters.
Helpline numbers
The control room has been set up in Paddar, about 15 kms from Chositi village. Numbers are: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.
District control room numbers: 01995-259555 and 9484217492
Police control room number of Kishtwar: 9906154100
The cloudburst struck J&K's remote
The yatra has been suspended after the disaster struck the village, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
Authorities immediately rushed to the spot and commenced the rescue operations.
#WATCH | J&K | A flash flood has occurred at the Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started. pic.twitter.com/dQbUBx46A9
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
Chositi is
Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about the incident. "Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. A massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casuality."
"Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made," he added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, said. "A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," as per ANI.
#WATCH | On flash flood at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, J&K LoP and MLA Padder- Nagseni, MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma says, "We don't have any numbers or data yet, but there is a possibility of huge damage there. Currently, we don't have any numbers or data. Due to the ongoing yatra,… pic.twitter.com/dxCBwuylGl
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir said, "Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar.
Amit Shah speaks with J&K CM
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the cloudburst, while assuring all possible help to the people.
"Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on
Omar Abdullah, the J&K CM, said, "I just spoke to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news
"All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible," he added.
'Take global warming seriously': Farooq Abdullah urges PM
Jammu Kashmir National Conference party chief Farooq Abdullah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take global warming
"I would like to tell the Prime Minister to take the issue of global warming very seriously. This has become very common in hilly areas. One or the other method will have to be looked for to overcome this. So, I appeal to him to think in this hour of grief about how this can be remedied," he told reporters.
Helpline numbers
The control room has been set up in Paddar, about 15 kms from Chositi village. Numbers are: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.
District control room numbers: 01995-259555 and 9484217492
Police control room number of Kishtwar: 9906154100
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