Cloudburst In J&K: At Least 46 Dead, Devastating Visuals From Chositi Village

A massive cloudburst struck Chositi village in the remote Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday afternoon, killing at least 46 people, including two CISF personnel, officials confirmed.

The cloudburst triggered flash floods, washing away several structures and leaving many more trapped under debris. Officials fear the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue. So far, 167 people have been rescued, of whom 38 are reported to be in serious condition.

The tragedy took place between 12 noon and 1 pm in Chositi — the last motorable village on the route to the sacred Machail Mata temple, located at 9,500 feet. The temple yatra began on July 25 and was scheduled to continue till September 5. 

A large number of devotees had gathered in Chositi, around 90 km from Kishtwar town, when the cloudburst struck. A ‘langar’ (community kitchen) set up for pilgrims was among the worst-hit structures. Shops and a security post were also swept away by the flash floods. 

A chilling video has emerged capturing the moment the deadly cloudburst struck. The footage shows a sudden surge of muddy, debris-laden water roaring down the valley, sweeping away everything in its path. The sheer force of the torrent is accompanied by panicked shouts from residents, many of whom scramble to higher ground in a desperate bid to escape. 

Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Army, and local volunteers, launched a large-scale rescue operation. Two additional NDRF teams from Jammu and Udhampur were deployed to intensify the search and rescue efforts. 

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the affected families.