J&K Cloudburst Tragedy: 46 Dead, Over 160 Rescued on Machail Mata Yatra Route

At least 46 people, most of them pilgrims, were killed on Thursday afternoon after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst struck Chasoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, PTI reported citing officials.

Over 160 people have been rescued so far, while more than 100 are injured, according to deputy commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma.

Rescue teams fear the toll may rise as several people remain missing. Most victims were devotees trekking to the 9,500-feet-high Machail Mata shrine. The disaster hit between 12 and 1 pm at Chasoti (also spelt Chisoti) — the last motorable point on the pilgrimage route. From here, the final 8.5-km trek to the temple begins.

Officials said a ‘langar’ (community kitchen) set up for pilgrims bore the brunt of the cloudburst. Heavy rains and debris have hampered search operations. The body of one CISF official has been recovered, with three others still missing.

Leaders React
Union minister Jitendra Singh said he was in touch with local authorities, posting on X that rescue and medical teams had been mobilised. J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah briefed Union home minister Amit Shah on the “grim” situation, while lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha directed civil, police, army, NDRF and SDRF teams to strengthen rescue efforts.

Wider Monsoon Impact
The tragedy comes amid heavy monsoon rainfall hitting hilly states. In Uttarakhand, landslides and floods have caused severe damage in Chamoli and Uttarkashi. In Himachal Pradesh, cloudbursts and flash floods have closed 396 roads and damaged houses across Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti.

The local meteorological office has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain at isolated places in Himachal till August 20.