34 Dead in J&K Cloudburst; Modi Promises Aid

Large-scale rescue and relief efforts have commenced following a massive cloudburst in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday (August 14), which resulted in the death of at least 17 people and

widespread damage, officials reported.

The disaster struck Chositi, the last motorable village en route to Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm, when numerous people had gathered for the Machail Mata pilgrimage. The 8.5 kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine starts from Chositi. At least 17 individuals are confirmed killed, with three more feared dead. There are concerns that the toll might increase further, officials stated, adding that 65 people have been saved so far.

Chositi is

approximately 90 kilometres from Kishtwar town. A 'langar' (community kitchen) set up for the devotees here was severely affected by the cloudburst, which caused flash floods and swept away several structures including shops and a security post.

Immediately after the calamity struck, Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma mobilised rescue teams and proceeded to the site to personally oversee 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 mentioned that he also spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner regarding the issue.

The annual pilgrimage to the Machail Mata shrine was suspended following the tragedy as the authorities marshalled all resources for rescue operations at Chositi, officials informed. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were dispatched from

Udhampur to Kishtwar.

"Massive rescue operations have been started in the area," stated the deputy commissioner, who was en route to the site. Officials added that the flash floods affected several houses clustered together in the foothills.

Lt Gov Manoj Sinha expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the event.

"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 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 many people had gathered for the pilgrimage.

Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed sorrow over the incident.

"Deeply saddened

by the cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Urge the govt to immediately carry out rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance and treatment for those affected,” he said in a post on X.

BJP leader Jehanzaib Sirwal, while extending his deepest sympathies to the affected people, said the heart-breaking incident highlights a broader concern that cannot be ignored -- the unchecked expansion of power projects in Kishtwar.

“While development is essential, the ongoing projects, pursued without thorough mechanisms or proper environmental assessments, pose a grave threat to our fragile ecosystem,” Sirwal said, urging the Centre to institute immediate and thorough checks on these initiatives.

“If robust measures are not implemented even now, the consequences for Kishtwar and its people could be even more catastrophic in the years ahead,” he warned.