Jammu: The death toll reached 65 on Sunday in the cloudburst disaster that struck Chasoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, as search and rescue operations entered their third day.
The cloudburst occurred at 12:25 PM on August 14 in Chasoti village, burying victims under debris and flood waters. Rescue teams have identified 34 bodies so far, while over 500 people have been rescued from the affected area. However, 200 people remain missing in the disaster zone.
The incident injured 180 people, with 40 in critical condition across hospitals in Kishtwar and Jammu. Families have provided details of 75 missing persons to the administration as rescue operations continue with three NDRF teams, over 300 army personnel, White Knight Corps medical team, police, SDRF and other agencies.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Chasoti on Sunday, meeting disaster victims and assuring all possible assistance. A grieving resident told the Chief Minister that families wanted only their loved ones’ bodies back, stating his mother and aunt remained missing.
Survivors criticise rescue efforts as death toll reaches new heights
The resident accused authorities of operating only two excavators despite bringing 20 JCB machines to the site. He alleged that equipment was activated only when political leaders visited, claiming rescue machinery remained idle otherwise.
The cloudburst struck when thousands of pilgrims had arrived at Chasoti village in Padder sub-division for the Machail Mata pilgrimage. The village served as the first halt for the religious journey, housing pilgrim buses, tents, community kitchens and numerous shops.
The flash floods swept away all infrastructure, including temporary accommodations and religious facilities set up for pilgrims. The disaster occurred during peak pilgrimage season when the village population had swelled with devotees travelling to the Machail Mata shrine.
Rescue operations continue as teams search through debris and flood-affected areas for the 200 missing persons. The death toll reached 65 as recovery efforts intensified with multiple agencies coordinating search and rescue activities across the disaster zone.
