'They had no time to run': Pilgrims swept away as cloudburst hits Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar

Srinagar: A sudden cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s remote Chositi village of Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon unleashed a torrent of water down the Jasnai nullah, sweeping away pilgrims and locals in seconds, eyewitnesses and officials said.

The disaster struck as scores of devotees undertaking the Machail Mata Yatra were resting or moving along the nullah’s banks, an eyewitness told DH over phone.

Over 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the incident while over 200 are still missing.

Videos shared on social media show a wall of muddy water roaring through the narrow stream, overturning tents, washing away makeshift kitchens, and scattering people scrambling for safety.

“Many pilgrims were standing in the nullah to cool off or wash up, while others were sitting inside the langer (community kitchen) set up right beside it,” the eyewitness said. “Suddenly, there was a deafening sound from the hills and water came rushing in. Within seconds, people were screaming and getting swept away," eyewitness added.

Locals and fellow yatris managed to pull several people to safety, but many were carried downstream before they could react, he said. The nullah, usually a shallow stream, turned into a raging river within moments.

Officials said some pilgrims and residents managed to flee to higher ground in time, but the authorities were still trying to account for all those in the area when the cloudburst hit. “Our teams are trying to establish the number of missing persons,” a senior official said.

Rescue operations were launched immediately, though the remoteness of the area and the damaged approach roads hampered access. Army and State Disaster Response Force personnel have been deployed, with helicopters on standby for evacuation and aerial surveys.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to respond to the Kishtwar tragedy, offering condolences to those affected.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need,” he posted on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken to both J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to assess the situation. He assured them of all necessary support, noting in a post on X that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams had been dispatched to the site and that the Centre was keeping a close watch on developments.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also voiced his sorrow over the loss of lives. “Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of the injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected,” he said in a post on X.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced changes to Independence Day events in light of the tragedy. He said the traditional “at home” tea party planned for Friday evening had been cancelled.

“We have also decided not to go ahead with the cultural events during the morning Independence Day celebrations,” he wrote on X, adding that “the formal events — speech, march past, etc will go ahead as planned.”