Omar Abdullah Says Survival Chances Slim in Kishtwar Cloudburst; 61 Dead, 116 Rescued as Massive Operations Continue

CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that it might be impossible to find anyone alive in the Kishtwar incident, stating that the disaster took place due to cloudburst rather than a breach of glacial lakes.

“Finding the missing persons alive now looks nearly impossible. In these circumstances, we will try to retrieve as many bodies and hand them over to their loved ones. According to the information we have received so far, the disaster that happened in Kishtwar was due to a cloudburst and not a glacial lake breach,” Omar Abdullah told reporters.

The J-K CM stated that the government will now appoint a team of experts to find out the other affected areas in the region and sought a report from them so that such incidents do not take place in the future.

“Now we have to appoint a team of experts to identify areas which might be in danger. A few months ago, the same thing was seen in Ramban, at that time the financial loss was more and the loss of life was less. This time the loss of life was more, but to avoid such a situation in future or if it arises, what steps can be taken by the government to reduce the loss, for this we will have to appoint some experts and ask for their report,” Abdullah said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo confirmed that 61 people have lost their lives in the cloudburst and flash flood incident that occurred in the Kishtwar district, while 116 individuals have been rescued so far.

Addressing mediapersons, Chief Secretary Dulloo said, “61 people have lost their lives in the incident. Security forces and various agencies have launched a collective search and rescue operation. CISF, J&K Police, CRPF, BRO, Indian Army, and NHPC were present at the spot immediately after the incident. Almost 450 people are working there day and night in a rescue operation. 116 people have been rescued so far.”

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) MK Yadav stated that the rescue operations are ongoing and efforts are being made to locate and save those still missing.

“Rescue operations are ongoing here, and JCB machines are also working continuously. SDRF, NDRF, local police, and CISF have all been divided into teams, zoning up the area. All agencies are working here. We are hopeful of saving more people. Other people who are missing, who are trapped inside boulders, muddy areas, we are trying our best to get them out. The situation here is better than before,” Yadav said while speaking to ANI. (ANI)

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Kishtwar Cloudburst Claims 45 Lives, Injures Over 100; Rescue Operations Intensify Along Machail Mata Yatra Route

Kishtwar Cloudburst

The death toll from the massive Kishtwar Cloudburst that triggered a flash flood in the Chesoti area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, has risen to 45, with more than 100 people injured, officials said on Friday.

Kishtwar Additional Superintendent of Police Pradeep Singh told ANI that rescue operations are underway with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, Fire Services, CISF, CRPF and the Army on the ground.

“45 have been confirmed dead, while over 100 injured have been shifted (for treatment). Many people are still feared missing. We will update as more missing people or dead bodies are found… Ambulance and local people are also working shoulder to shoulder with the police for the rescue operation… 8-10 of the deceased people were identified, and the identification process is going on…” he said.

The cloudburst occurred on Thursday in Chesoti village of Paddar along the Machail Mata Yatra route, which had drawn a large number of devotees.

In view of the weather conditions and the disaster, Kishtwar Police has set up control rooms and help desks across the district to assist citizens and pilgrims, particularly in remote areas.

Families of missing persons have been asked to contact —

District Control Room — 01995-259555, 9484217492
PCR Kishtwar — 9906154100, 9103454100, 01995-259193, 100.

“Rescue operations continue in Chesoti, Tehsil Atholi, District Kishtwar. *DGP J&K Police Sh. Nalin Prabhat-IPS* is personally monitoring the situation on the ground,” District Police Kishtwar wrote in a post on X, also sharing a list of rescued and injured persons as of August 14.

J&K Leader of Opposition and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma said the incident occurred around 11 a.m.

“There was a huge rush here as devotees in large numbers participated in the Machail Mata Yatra. There has been a huge loss…42 bodies have been retrieved…This is a very big disaster…I am hopeful that tomorrow, if the weather allows, rescue operations will be carried out through helicopter services…” he said.

Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Kishtwar, Dr Yudhvir Singh Kotwal, said the hospital had received 88 patients so far, with 36 referred to GMC Jammu. “We are awaiting identification for two dead bodies which were brought to the hospital…” he added.

One of the injured, Vishal Mehra, who had come from Jammu for the yatra, described the chaos, “We were returning after the darshan and had stopped at Chesoti. A part of our group was a little behind. We were having tea, and as soon as we finished, Army personnel told us to run from there. We rushed, but we got trapped in the debris.”

“My sister and nephew are missing. There has been a massive loss…It felt like a sudden blast, and we could not act in time,” he said.

“When the cloud burst, we were flown away and I was stuck under a car… My mother was under an electricity pole… Administration took quick action, and the vehicles of the army and the CRPF arrived immediately…” Another victim said. (ANI)

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Kishtwar Cloudburst Kills 46, Injures Over 100; Hundreds Missing as Rescue Efforts Intensify in J&K

Kishtwar Cloudburst

A massive cloudburst struck Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on August 14, 2025, between 12 noon and 1:00 pm, triggering devastating flash floods. The disaster, occurring near the Machail Mata temple during the annual yatra, has resulted in at least 46 deaths, including two CISF personnel, and over 100 injuries, with 38 in serious condition. Over 200 people remain missing, and 167 have been rescued so far. The flash floods swept away structures, including a community kitchen, shops, and a security outpost, leaving parts of the village buried in mud and debris. The Machail Mata Yatra, ongoing since July 25, has been suspended.

Rescue operations are in full swing, involving the Army’s White Knight Corps (over 300 troops with medical detachments), NDRF, SDRF, police, and local volunteers. Two NDRF teams from Udhampur, equipped with advanced gear, have joined efforts, but bad weather and damaged roads are hampering progress. The Air Force is on standby for potential evacuations. Relief efforts include medical aid and supplies for stranded families, with structural safety checks and road restoration underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have assured full support, with central and state agencies coordinating closely. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the situation as “grim” and canceled Independence Day cultural events, though formal ceremonies will proceed. Political leaders across parties, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, expressed condolences and urged intensified relief efforts. BJP leader Jehanzaib Sirwal raised concerns about unchecked development contributing to such disasters in the fragile Himalayan region.

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