Relief operations have intensified following a tragic cloudburst in the Chashoti area of Padder, Kishtwar district, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people on Thursday.
The cloudburst triggered a flash flood along the route of the Shree Machail Mata Yatra. There are concerns that the death toll may rise as search operations continue in the remote and challenging terrain.
The Shree Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and will run until September 5, attracts thousands of devotees each year to the Chandi Mata Mandir in Machail, Paddar Valley.
The district administration, led by Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and supported by the Machail Mata Yatra Cell, had established sanitation, security, and health facilities to ensure a smooth pilgrimage.
The disaster occurred between 12 pm and 1 pm, when many devotees were gathered for the pilgrimage.
Chashoti is the last motorable point before the 8.5km trek to the shrine begins.
The cloudburst severely impacted both the road from Padder to Chashoti and the subsequent yatra route.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the situation as grim, stating that information was arriving slowly due to the area's remoteness. He mentioned, “I just spoke to the Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him about the developing situation… All possible resources are being mobilised… The government will share information as and when possible,” and added, “I would not be speaking to news channels for now.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that he had spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Abdullah to assure them of full support.
He said that rescue and relief efforts were underway and that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had been dispatched to the site.
“The central government is closely monitoring the situation and stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he posted on X.
Local MP Dr Jitendra Singh said he had been informed by the Leader of Opposition and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma.
He confirmed that rescue teams were deployed and arrangements for medical care and damage assessment were in place.
Singh said that his office was receiving regular updates and would provide all possible assistance to those affected.
Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the incident and instructed civil, police, army, NDRF, and SDRF teams to strengthen rescue and relief efforts.
MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA of the area and leader of the opposition in the J&K Assembly, is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with the administration to ensure that pilgrims and residents receive the necessary help.
Teams from SDRF, NDRF, and local police are on-site, with medical facilities, including doctors and medicines, positioned at medical booths along the pilgrimage route.