At least 10 people are feared dead after a massive cloudburst on Thursday triggered flash floods that struck the Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
The site of the flash floods is said to be along the Machail Mata Yatra route, with initial reports yet to confirm the casualties and the extent of damage. Locals in the area remain in a state of panic.
"Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made," explained Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh, adding that rescue operations and medical arrangements were already underway.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kishtwar) Pankaj Kumar Sharma along with Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh are also on their way to the cloudburst-hit area to supervise the rescue operation, officials said.
Chositi is the last motorable village enroute to the shrine, a PTI report said, adding that the annual yatra to the Machail Mata shrine has been suspended following the incident, as authorities mobilised all resources and are heading to the scene to conduct a massive rescue and relief operation.
"Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected," explained Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in an X post, condoling the loss of lives in the flash floods.
The flash floods at Kishtwar are the latest natural disasters plaguing the country this monsoon, with hilly areas being the worst affected.
Just weeks ago, flash floods and a landslide at Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand led to significant damage, killing two people and leading to the disappearance of at least 66. However, more than 150 people have been rescued as a result of concerted rescue efforts.