Cloudburst in Kishtwar’s Chasoti village kills 10, yatra suspended

At least 10 people are feared dead after a massive cloudburst struck Chasoti, a remote village en route to the Machail Mata yatra in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday, officials said.

Chasoti is the last motorable village on the way to the shrine. Following the cloudburst, the annual yatra to the shrine has been suspended as authorities mobilised all available resources to conduct a large-scale rescue and relief operation.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences over the loss of lives. He said on X, “Anguished by a cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for the quick recovery of the injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.”

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke with Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, regarding the incident. He tweeted, “A massive cloudburst in the Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualties. Administration has immediately swung into action, the rescue team has left for the site.”

Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, along with Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh, are also heading to the cloudburst-hit area to supervise the rescue operations.

Officials said a team led by the Sub-divisional Magistrate of Padder has reached the scene. So far, 10 people are believed to have died in the cloudburst.