Kishtwar cloudburst tragedy: Death toll rises to 46, over 100 injured

Kishtwar: The death toll from the devastating cloudburst in the Chesoti area of Kishtwar has climbed to 46, with over 100 others injured and several still feared missing, officials confirmed on Friday. The cloudburst, which struck on Thursday, triggered a flash flood in Chesoti village, located along the Machail Mata Yatra route, a pilgrimage site drawing thousands of devotees.

Rescue efforts are ongoing in full force, with multiple agencies including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, Fire Services, CISF, CRPF and the Army working on the ground.

“Forty-five have been confirmed dead, while over 100 injured have been shifted [for treatment]. Many people are still feared missing. We will update as more missing people or dead bodies are found,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Pradeep Singh, speaking to ANI. “Ambulance and local people are also working shoulder to shoulder with the police for the rescue operation. Eight to ten of the deceased people were identified, and the identification process is going on.”

The tragedy unfolded around 11 a.m. in the Chesoti area of Paddar tehsil, during a time when large crowds of pilgrims were present for the Machail Mata Yatra.

“There was a huge rush here as devotees in large numbers participated in the Machail Mata Yatra. There has been a huge loss... Forty-two bodies have been retrieved... This is a very big disaster,” said J&K Leader of Opposition and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. “I am hopeful that tomorrow, if the weather allows, rescue operations will be carried out through helicopter services.”

To aid affected citizens and pilgrims, particularly in remote areas, the Kishtwar Police have established control rooms and help desks throughout the district. Families searching for missing persons have been asked to contact:

District Control Room: 01995-259555, 9484217492

PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100, 9103454100, 01995-259193, 100

The District Police Kishtwar also shared updates on rescued and injured persons via social media, stating: “Rescue operations continue in Chesoti, Tehsil Atholi, District Kishtwar. DGP J&K Police Sh. Nalin Prabhat-IPS is personally monitoring the situation on the ground.”

At District Hospital Kishtwar, Medical Superintendent Dr Yudhvir Singh Kotwal confirmed the arrival of 88 injured patients, with 36 requiring referral to GMC Jammu. “We are awaiting identification for two dead bodies which were brought to the hospital,” he said.

Survivors shared harrowing accounts of the tragedy. Vishal Mehra, a pilgrim from Jammu, recalled the moments leading up to the flood. “We were returning after the darshan and had stopped at Chesoti. A part of our group was a little behind. We were having tea, and as soon as we finished, Army personnel told us to run from there. We rushed, but we got trapped in the debris,” he said. “My sister and nephew are missing. There has been a massive loss... It felt like a sudden blast, and we could not act in time.”

Another injured survivor described the chaos: “When the cloud burst, we were flown away and I was stuck under a car... My mother was under an electricity pole... Administration took quick action, and the vehicles of the Army and the CRPF arrived immediately.”