J&K: Pilgrims were having lunch when cloudburst struck Kishtwar district; 2 CISF personnel among victims

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Many victims of Thursday's flash floods in J&K's Kishtwar district were having lunch at a pilgrim camp when a cloudburst struck the area between noon and 1pm, causing rapidly filling rivulets to swamp a swathe of the valley. The camp set up for pilgrims bore the brunt of the damage, leaving a mud-filled gorge where the langar stood. Floodwaters washed away several other structures, including a security post. Dozens of vehicles were damaged.

"Two CISF personnel were among the victims. Many of the pilgrims who died were having food in the langar when disaster struck," an official said.

Chishoti is about 90km from Kishtwar and the last stop before pilgrims trek 8.5km to the ancient Machail Mata shrine . The 43-day Shri Machail Mata Yatra , which commenced on July 25 and was to continue till September 5, has been suspended.

At Paddar, the town closest to the disaster zone, leader of the opposition Sunil Sharma told reporters that 100-odd people were missing. "There are mud-caked bodies and critically injured people all around. The death toll could rise," he said.

"I just spoke to the Union home minister @AmitShah to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu," CM Omar Abdullah wrote on X, also announcing the cancellation of his scheduled "At Home" tea party on Independence Day.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need," PM Narendra Modi wrote on X.

IGP (Jammu zone) Bhimsen Tuti said the administration had "activated" control rooms and help desks across Kishtwar to provide updates about the rescue efforts.