Daijiworld Media Network - Shrinagar

Shrinagar, Aug 14: A devastating cloudburst struck the remote village of Chasoti, the last motorable stop en route to the Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday, claiming the lives of twelve people, officials confirmed.

The sudden deluge triggered flash floods that ravaged several homes in the densely populated hamlet nestled at the foothills. In response, authorities have suspended the annual Machail Mata yatra to focus on rescue and relief efforts.

Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh are en route to the affected area to oversee the large-scale rescue operation.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences for the loss of lives and urged all agencies — including civil administration, police, army, NDRF, and SDRF — to intensify relief work and provide full support to those impacted.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh reported speaking with Deputy Commissioner Sharma and noted that rescue teams have already been dispatched to the site.
Sharma confirmed that extensive rescue operations are underway amid challenging conditions caused by the flash floods.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma indicated that while exact damage figures are not yet available, the impact is likely significant, especially since the area was congested due to the ongoing pilgrimage.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to aid affected residents and restore normalcy are underway.