Shani Perera
Travel News
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New Delhi, August 15 - A major cloudburst struck Indian-controlled Kashmir on Thursday, killing at least 46 people and injuring over 100 others, according to officials.
The cloudburst hit Chositi hamlet in Kishtwar district, about 290km southeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
According to officials, the massive cloudburst triggered a flash flood, causing widespraid devastation throughout the village. The sudden floods washed away multiple structures, including a community kitchen, stores, and a security outpost, as well as several vehicles parked nearby.
"In today's tragedy that struck at a village in Kishtwar here, 46 people are reported to be dead and over 100 others injured," an official said. "The rescuers who reached the spot have managed to pull at least 200 people to safety from the debris."
"There are fears that the death toll may go up, given the reports of many people being reported missing," the official stated.
Chositi is the last village in the Kishtwar district and serves as a stopover on a pilgrimage path to a Hindu temple situated 3,000m above the sea level. According to officials, a large number of people mostly pilgrims, had gathered in the village around a temporary community kitchen for their trek to the shrine.
Immediately after the disaster, police, the Indian army, and local volunteers launched a massive rescue mission. Authorities also dispatched National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams to the location to aid with rescue efforts.
"A large-scale rescue operation is underway in the area to find people, transport the injured to hospitals, and locate the missing," Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma said.
After the massive destruction, authorities have suspended the pilgrimage. Images circulating on social media show injured people, bodies lying in the rubble, and some covered in white shrouds on stretchers, as well as serious damage to the area. Videos show torrents of muddy water, silt, and rubble rushing down the steep hills, destroying everything in their path. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep concern over the disaster.
"The situation is being closely monitored. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing. Every possible help will be given to those in need" Modi said in a statement.
The India Meteorological Department had forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday. Local authorities had already issued alerts for potential landslides and cloudbursts.
The region’s rugged terrain makes it prone to landslides, particularly during periods of heavy rainfalls.