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Kishtwar cloudburst:At least 46 people died on Thursday afternoon on the Machail Mata Yatra route in Chashoti village of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, most of which were pilgrims. According to officials, more than 160 people have been rescued so far. Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma said that more than 100 people have been injured. The rescue team fears that the number of dead may increase, as many people are still missing.

The journey of Machail Mata Temple starts from Chashoti village

Jammu Inspector General of Police B.S. Tutti said that most of the victims were Hindu pilgrims who were going on a visit to Machail Mata temple. He also said that the number of casualties is expected to increase. Disaster affected Chashoti, which is the last vehicle on the route of 9,500 feet high Machail Mata temple. Between 12 and 1 pm when hundreds of devotees gathered for the annual journey. Please tell that the last 8.5 km journey to the temple starts from this village.

Dead body of a CISF jawan found

Officials said that 65 people have been rescued, while searching and relief operations are going on in inaccessible areas amid heavy rains and debris. The body of an officer of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been recovered, while three others are missing. He was deployed on temporary internal security work for travel. The ‘langar’ established for the devotees suffered heavy losses due to cloudburst, due to which suddenly there was a flood.

Union Minister also took information about the situation

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that he spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma after being informed by Leader of Opposition and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Jitendra Singh posted on X, "In the Chashoti region, a huge cloudburst can lead to heavy loss of life. The administration has immediately swung into action, the rescue team has left for the scene. The damage is being assessed and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements. My office is getting regular updates, all possible help will be provided."

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and informed him about the situation. He posted on X, "I just spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and informed him about the situation being developed in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is serious and accurate, there is a delay in getting the information verified from the affected area due to cloudburst. All possible resources are being collected from within and outside Jammu and Kashmir for the management of rescue operations. I will not talk to channels or news agencies. The government will share the information whenever possible."

LG Manoj Sinha confident of all possible help

Reacting to the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that he has directed civil, police, army, NDRF and SDRF officers to strengthen the rescue and relief campaign. He posted on X, "I am distressed by cloudburst in Chocity Kishtwar. I pray for condolences to the bereaved families and for the early recovery of the injured. Civil, police, army, NDRF and SDRF officers have been instructed to intensify the rescue and relief campaign and ensure all possible assistance to the affected."

Rain havoc in hilly states

There is heavy monsoon rains in the country, which has had the most impact on the hilly areas, especially Uttarakhand. Cloudburst, floods and landslides have caused heavy loss of life and property. Earlier, roads in Nandprayag in Chamoli district were blocked due to landslides after the rains that occurred a few days after the cloudburst in Uttarkashi, causing heavy havoc. District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari of Chamoli district said that due to rain, the work of opening the road blocked in Nandprayag is going on. He said that apart from this, all the roads in the district are smooth. The bridge connecting Uttarkashi to Harshil has been rebuilt, so that on August 5, there can be easy movement of machinery and relief materials after cloudburst and sudden floods in Dharli and Harshil of Uttarkashi district.

Cloudy burst in Dharali village havoc

On August 5, a fierce landslide occurred in Dharali village of Kheergad area near Harshil, causing sudden debris and water flow in the settlements. Due to cloudburst, there was a sudden flood in the height villages of Dharali. Many houses are reported to have been washed away.

396 roads closed in Himachal Pradesh

Many districts of Himachal Pradesh have caused heavy devastation due to cloudburst and sudden floods, 396 roads have been closed for traffic, houses have been damaged, vehicles have been swept away and some panchayats of Shimla have lost contact. Officials said on Thursday that there is no news of any kind of loss of life.

Heavy rains in many areas

100 mm in Kandaghat from Wednesday night, 87 mm in Jattan barrage, 85.4 mm in Una, 81.4 mm in Solan, 76 mm in Olinda, 73 mm in Shilaru, 69 mm in Shimla, 66 mm in Kufri, 66 mm in Kubari, 65.2 mm in Jubbadhatti, 65.2 mm, 62 mm in Kasuli 61.2, Murai Devi received 51.8 and Dharampur 50.2 mm of rainfall.

Meteorological Department released Yellow alert

The local meteorological office has issued a ‘Yellow’ alert warning of heavy rains at different places in the state till 20 August. On Wednesday evening, there were incidents of cloudburst and sudden floods at many places in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts.