A massive cloudburst on Thursday triggered a flash flood in the Chositi area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, along the route of the Machail Mata Yatra.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and assured full central assistance.
Shah said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have already been rushed to the site.
“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,” Shah said in a post on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed concern for the safety of those affected by the cloudburst.
In a post on X, PM 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.”
Local administration teams are on the ground, evacuating residents, providing medical aid, and working to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Authorities are assessing damage and prioritising the safety of people in vulnerable zones.
Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma said that rescue operations are still underway.
Meanwhile, two NDRF teams, comprising nearly 180 personnel, equipped with advanced search-and-rescue gear, were rushed from the force’s Udhampur base following instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are in close coordination with the local administration and state disaster management teams so that they can evacuate stranded residents, provide medical aid, and ensure the supply of essential relief materials.
CM Omar Abdullah described the situation in Kishtwar as “grim”.
In a post on X, Abdullah said, “I just spoke to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him about the developing situation in the 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…”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also shared the details of the natural calamity.
In a post on X, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, “Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma.”
“Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made. My office receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided,” he added.
JK LG Manoj Sinha has directed Army and NDRF officials to strengthen rescue efforts. “Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and 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,” he said.
Speaking to ANI, J&K LoP and MLA Padder-Nagseni Sunil Kumar Sharma said, “We don’t have any numbers or data yet, but there is a possibility of huge damage there. Due to the ongoing yatra, the area is congested.”
Several people are feared missing as the cloudburst occurred between 12 noon and 1 pm in the Chositi area, the last motorable point en route to the revered Machail Mata temple, at a time when a large crowd of pilgrims had assembled for the annual Machail Mata Yatra. The sudden surge of water swept through parts of the village, destroying property and severing road links to remote areas.
(ANI)