Kishtwar cloudburst: Toll rises to 30, BJP leader flags unchecked power projects

A massive cloudburst struck a remote mountain village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday 14 August with at least 30 people, including two CISF personnel, feared dead, officials said.

The death toll is likely to go up as more people are believed to be trapped, officials said. As many as 120 people have been rescued so far, they added, and the condition of 38 is serious.

While a large-scale rescue operation has already been launched by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Army personnel and local volunteers, the authorities have mobilised more rescuers, including two fresh teams of NDRF, officials said.

The disaster struck Chishoti, the last motorable village en route to Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm. A large number of people had gathered there for the annual Machail Mata yatra, which commenced on 25 July and was scheduled to end on 5 September. The 8.5 km trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine begins from Chishoti, about 90 km from Kishtwar town.

A langar (community kitchen) set up for the devotees, packed with people, bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flash floods and washed away several structures including shops and a security outpost.

BJP leader Jehanzaib Sirwal, while extending his deepest condolences to the affected people, said the heart-breaking incident underscores a broader concern that cannot be ignored — the unchecked proliferation of power projects in Kishtwar.

“While development is essential, the ongoing projects, pursued without rigorous mechanisms or proper environmental assessments, pose a grave threat to our fragile ecosystem,” Sirwal said, urging the Centre to institute immediate and thorough checks on these initiatives.

Immediately after the calamity struck, Kishtwar deputy commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, along with the senior superintendent of police, mobilised rescue teams and headed towards the spot. "Massive rescue operations have been started in the area," said Sharma.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah briefed Union home minister Amit Shah about the situation and said the news is "grim and accurate and verified information is slow in arriving".

The chief minister also said he wouldn't be speaking to channels or news agencies. "The government will share information as & when possible," Abdullah said. In an X post, he announced that the state government would be curtailing the Independence Day celebrations on Friday in view of the tragedy.

The disaster hit Chishoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm when a large number of people had gathered for the Machail Mata yatra. From there begins the 8.5 km trek to the shrine.

The Army's White Knight Corps said efforts are on to safeguard lives and aid the survivors. "In the aftermath of a cloudburst at Chishoti (Chositi) village, Kishtwar, troops of White Knight Corps swiftly mobilised for rescue and relief ops (operations). Efforts are centred on safeguarding lives and aiding survivors. Search for missing continues. Relief stores, medical teams and rescue gear rushed to site. We Serve, We Protect,” the Corps said in an X post.

"A massive cloudburst in Chishoti area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site," Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in an X post. The minister said he also spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner on the matter.

The annual yatra to the Machail Mata shrine was suspended. Officials added that the flash floods hit several houses clustered together in the foothills.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma said he had received information from his workers that a massive cloudburst has occurred. "At the moment, I don't think anyone has exact figures but I believe there could be significant damage in the area," he said, adding that there were a lot of people gathered for the yatra.