A devastating cloudburst struck Chisoti village in the remote Paddar Valley of Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon, triggering catastrophic flash floods that have left a trail of destruction, claiming at least 44 lives and injuring over 100 people.
According to local officials in the Kishtwar district, the disaster struck at a time when thousands of devotees were gathered in the area for the annual pilgrimage to the Chandi Mata Temple, one of the largest spiritual events in the Jammu region.
The Machail Mata Yatra, which commenced on July 25, 2025, has been suspended with immediate effect.
The district administration has urged pilgrims to postpone their journeys until conditions stabilise and has assured comprehensive support for rehabilitation and recovery. According to them, several individuals remain missing, with rescue operations underway amidst challenging conditions.
The makeshift tented colonies, set up to accommodate pilgrims, witnessed mayhem, with many swept away in the raging waters. Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, confirmed the severity of the situation, stating, “A flash flood has occurred at Chisoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue operations have been started.” Preliminary reports indicate that at least 44 people lost their lives in the disaster, with over 100 pilgrims sustaining injuries. The exact number of missing individuals remains unclear, but authorities estimate that several dozen are unaccounted for.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured central Government support, stating, “The Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Kishtwar. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected areas.” My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
President Droupadi Murmu also said the loss of lives due to a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir is extremely tragic and prayed for the success of relief and rescue operations.
On the other hand Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cancelled the cultural events planned for Independence Day celebrations as well as his “At Home” tea party in the evening. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha are also overseeing the response, coordinating with local authorities to expedite rescue and relief operations.
Minutes before the cloud burst struck, several hundred pilgrims were seen standing in a ‘langar’ queue, videos released on the social media platforms revealed. Several residential structures and vehicles parked on the ground were also washed away. The force of the floodwaters was so intense that it also disrupted road connectivity, leaving the region isolated.
Rescue efforts were promptly launched, involving multiple agencies, including the Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police. Teams are battling inhospitable terrain, continuous rainfall, and poor visibility to locate and rescue survivors. The remote location of Chisoti, coupled with damaged infrastructure, has made access to the affected area challenging.
The Army has mobilised columns to assist the civil administration, with additional SDRF teams from Doda, Udhampur, Jammu and Srinagar on standby, awaiting weather clearance for airlifting.
A senior official involved in the rescue operations noted, “The inclement weather is hampering efforts, but our teams are working tirelessly to reach those trapped or missing. The priority is to save lives and provide immediate medical assistance.” Devotees and residents are rallying to support rescue efforts, providing food, shelter and assistance to those affected. The temple’s pujari, Manoji, and local community leaders have called for prayers and unity in the face of this calamity. Several local politicians, including the Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma and Shagun Parihar also joined the rescue teams in lending support to the affected pilgrims in the area.
The Machail Mata Yatra, described as the second-largest pilgrimage in the Jammu region, draws over 50,000 devotees annually to the Chandi Mata Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga. The pilgrimage involves a 30-km trek from Gulabgarh to Machail, with Chisoti serving as a critical stopover point, approximately 19.5 km from Paddar.
The Kishtwar region has faced cloudbursts in the past, notably in July 2021, when seven people were killed and 17 injured in a similar incident in Honzar village.
The Meteorological Department had issued warnings of heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir until the end of August, urging residents near water bodies and slide-prone areas to remain vigilant.