At least 10 people are feared dead after a massive cloudburst devastated Chosoti, a remote village on the route to the sacred Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar district, officials confirmed on Thursday. The tragedy struck the last motorable point before the shrine, halting the annual pilgrimage mid-way and plunging the region into grief.
According to officials, torrential rains triggered the sudden disaster, sweeping away structures and leaving several people trapped or missing. In the wake of the incident, authorities immediately suspended the Machail Mata Yatra and deployed all available resources for rescue and relief operations.
A team led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Paddar reached the affected site within hours, while Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh rushed to oversee ground operations. Rescue forces, including the Army, NDRF, and SDRF, have joined the Civil Administration and local police in a coordinated mission to save lives and provide emergency aid.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, said in a statement, “Anguished by the cloudburst in Chosoti, Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of the injured. Directed officials to provide all possible assistance to those affected.”
