Srinagar: The catastrophic cloudburst in the Chashoti region of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, has claimed at least 65 lives, with officials warning that the toll could rise further as search and rescue efforts continue. The sudden downpour triggered flash floods and landslides late Wednesday night, sweeping away homes, livestock, and entire stretches of mountain road.
According to local authorities, nearly 200 people remain unaccounted for, heightening fears that many may still be trapped under debris or carried away by the surging waters. More than 150 people sustained injuries, some critically, and are being treated at local hospitals and makeshift medical camps. Villagers who managed to escape described scenes of chaos, with torrents of water and mud engulfing their homes within minutes, leaving no time to salvage belongings or flee with family members.
Rescue operations, led jointly by the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are underway on a war footing. Despite relentless efforts, operations are being hampered by treacherous terrain, persistent rainfall, and frequent landslides that have damaged road connectivity. Helicopters have been deployed for aerial reconnaissance and to airlift the injured from remote areas, while sniffer dogs and heavy machinery are being used to locate survivors under collapsed houses.
Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma confirmed that several houses in the hilly Chashoti village were completely washed away in the flash floods. “Entire families have been displaced, and many remain missing. Relief camps have been set up, and over 200 residents have already been evacuated to safer zones,” he said. Food packets, water, and essential supplies are being distributed to those taking shelter in temporary camps and schools.
The natural disaster has also disrupted religious and tourist activities in the region. The Mata pilgrimage has been temporarily suspended, with authorities citing safety concerns. The road to the shrine, along with several arterial routes in Kishtwar, has suffered extensive damage due to landslides, cutting off connectivity to several villages. Restoration of roads and communication lines is expected to take several days.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitender Singh is scheduled to visit Kishtwar to assess the ground situation. Officials from the Union Territory administration and disaster management teams are coordinating closely to ensure rapid relief measures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured all possible assistance from the central government.
For the people of Kishtwar, however, the scars of this tragedy will linger for years. Survivors, many of whom have lost homes and loved ones, now face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives amidst uncertainty. The cloudburst has once again underscored the fragility of mountain ecosystems and the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness in the Himalayan region.