Cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar Kills 46; Rescue Operations Intensify
A devastating cloudburst in Chositi village, Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, has resulted in at least 46 fatalities, with 69 people still reported missing. The disaster, which occurred near the Machail Mata temple pilgrimage route, destroyed homes, a market, and infrastructure. Rescue operations, involving the Army, NDRF, and SDRF, resumed on Friday despite rainfall, as teams search for survivors feared trapped under mud and rubble. The incident has suspended the annual pilgrimage and highlighted the region's vulnerability to extreme weather.
Unpacked:
A cloudburst is an intense, short-duration rainfall that can produce flash flooding and landslides. Kishtwar is prone to cloudbursts due to its mountainous terrain, steep valleys, and seasonal monsoon patterns, which can cause sudden, concentrated rainfall events leading to disasters like this one.
The Machail Mata route passes through remote, high-altitude areas with limited infrastructure. During the pilgrimage, the area becomes crowded with temporary structures and people, making it more susceptible to large-scale damage and casualties during sudden weather events like cloudbursts.
Rescue teams face challenges such as ongoing rainfall, dangerous mud and debris, damaged infrastructure, and poor communication due to disrupted power and mobile networks. The remoteness of Chositi and blocked roads further complicate the search for survivors and delivery of relief supplies.
Yes, similar disasters have occurred recently. Just nine days before this incident, flash floods in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, left 68 people missing. The western Himalayas, including Jammu and Kashmir, frequently experience cloudbursts and flash floods during the monsoon season.