Kishtwar, J&K: The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Chasothi, a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, has tragically risen to 65. The disaster, triggered by a massive cloudburst on Thursday, has left a trail of destruction and heartbreak in the mountainous region.
Authorities have confirmed that 46 bodies have been identified so far, with rescue and recovery efforts continuing to locate the missing. The flash floods, accompanied by mudslides and debris, have swept away homes, vehicles, and a community kitchen, leaving more than 200 people still unaccounted for.
The victims include two personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and numerous pilgrims who were at a makeshift community kitchen (langar) during the annual Machail Mata Yatra. The floodwaters hit the area with such force that they washed away a security camp and several vehicles parked at a nearby bus stand.
While the identities of all the deceased are yet to be officially released, officials have noted that many of them were pilgrims from various parts of the country who had gathered at Chasothi, the last motorable point on the way to the revered Machail Mata shrine.
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army, are working round the clock to search for survivors and recover bodies. However, the operations are being hampered by challenging terrain and continued rainfall.
The state government has declared the area a disaster zone and has set up a control room to assist the affected families. The tragic incident has led to the suspension of the Machail Mata Yatra and has prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences from leaders across the country.
