At least 45 people have been killed and over 100 injured in the cloud-burst that hit Paddar region of Kishtwar district. The rescuers were struggling to find the missing people till Thursday evening.
The incident took place on Thursday morning when the pilgrims to the Machail Mata Yatra were preparing to trek the steep hike to the shrine. The village Chisoti where the incident occurred is the last motorable point for the shrine of the goddess.
Heavy rains were being witnessed in Kishtwar district at the time of cloud-burst that triggered flash floods and snapped the road and telephone connectivity in the area. It was mostly the pilgrims of Machail Mata that became the victim of the tragedy.
Besides other rescuers including SDRF, NDRF and others, Army also rushed to help the victims. “In the aftermath of a cloud burst at #ChisotiVillage, #Kishtwar, troops of White Knight Corps swiftly mobilised for rescue & relief ops. Efforts are centred on safeguarding lives and aiding survivors. Search for missing continues. Relief stores, medical teams & rescue gear rushed to site. We Serve, We Protect” the Army said on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need”.
The police have issued helpline numbers and asked the family members to report the missing so that a data could be prepared.