Cloudburst Havoc in Kishtwar: 38 were Dead, Over 80 Missing, Village township Swept Away
SRINAGAR, Aug 14 – Panic, screams, and the roar of water — that’s how villagers in Chositi in Kishtwar describe the few terrifying minutes when a cloudburst unleashed a raging flash flood, tearing through homes and fields.
Local news sources put the death toll at over 38, with more than 80 still missing, but officially no death toll was shated.
Locals fear the numbers could climb as rescue teams wade through piles of debris and gushing water.
No one knows exact number of people missing or dead, but there were hundreds of pilgrims going to the goddess Machail Mata temple near Chositi when flashflood took them by surprise as there was no warning or alert issued by the local administration.
The Lieutenant Governor, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir visibly anguished, offered condolences to grieving families and prayers for the injured.
The government ordered Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF units to throw everything into the rescue mission, ensuring relief reaches even the most cut-off hamlets.
Omar Abdullah said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him on the developing situation in Kishtwar after a deadly cloudburst.
“The news is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloudburst is slow in arriving.
All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies.
The government will share information as & when possible,” Omar said in a statement.
With roads washed away and the river still swelling, the battle now is against time — and the elements.
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