Jammu – A devastating flashflood struck Chishoti village in the Padder sub-division of Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district early Thursday, claiming at least 12 lives, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
The incident, which occurred along the popular Machail Mata Yatra route, has triggered widespread destruction, washing away homes, roads, and infrastructure. The cloudburst unleashed a massive flash flood, submerging parts of the remote village and disrupting the annual pilgrimage to the Machail Mata shrine. Authorities have suspended the yatra indefinitely as rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, and local police, race against time to locate survivors.
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his anguish, offering condolences to the bereaved families and directing all agencies to strengthen relief efforts. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, after speaking with Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, confirmed that the administration has mobilized resources to the site. Initial reports indicate that the flash flood damaged several houses and eateries, with the dense hamlet at the foothill bearing the brunt of the disaster.
Deputy Commissioner Sharma, along with Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh, is overseeing the rescue operation, while a team led by the Sub-divisional Magistrate of Padder is already on the ground. Officials estimate that more individuals may be trapped under debris, with the toll potentially exceeding 15 as search efforts intensify. The region’s vulnerability to cloudbursts, exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains, has raised concerns about preparedness.
Comments are closed.