A massive cloudburst struck Chishoti village in the Padder sub-division of Kishtwar district early Thursday morning, claiming at least 12 lives and triggering flash floods along the sacred Machail Mata Yatra route. The incident has prompted the suspension of the annual pilgrimage and launched a large-scale rescue operation by civil, police, and disaster response teams.
What Happened
- The cloudburst occurred in Chishoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata shrine, a popular pilgrimage site in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Torrential rains led to flash floods, damaging homes and infrastructure in the densely populated foothill hamlet.
- Rescue teams, including NDRF, SDRF, Army, and local police, have been deployed to the site for relief and evacuation efforts.
Official Response
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the incident and said the administration had “immediately swung into action” with medical and rescue arrangements underway.
- J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the tragedy and directed officials to “strengthen rescue and relief operations” and ensure all possible assistance to affected families.
- Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and SSP Naresh Singh are supervising operations on the ground.
Impact on Machail Mata Yatra
- The Machail Mata Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees annually, has been suspended following the disaster.
- The route is currently inaccessible due to debris and waterlogging, with authorities prioritizing rescue over pilgrimage logistics.
Weather Alert
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast moderate to heavy rain with brief intense showers across Jammu & Kashmir over the next 4–6 hours. Vulnerable districts include:
- Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri
- Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam, Srinagar
Cloudbursts, landslides, and mudslides remain a threat in hilly regions.
