Srinagar: 46 people were killed and more than 160 injured in a cloudburst in a remote village on the way to Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The cloud burst in Chashoti, which is the last village on the way to the temple. Officials say that 46 bodies have been recovered from the village affected by the cloudburst. The death toll may increase.
The cloudburst incident occurred when devotees were going to worship in the Machail area. Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma told ETV Bharat that so far 44 bodies have been recovered and rescue operations are underway to evacuate the injured people. Search operations are also underway to locate the missing people, but the situation is very serious and there is no figure yet on how many people are missing. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been sent there after the cloudburst.
The police officer said that so far 75 injured people have been rescued and shifted to Primary Health Centre Atholi Paddar and District Hospital Kishtwar.
Locals said that the cloudburst incident occurred when the devotees were having lunch at the free kitchen (langar) set up at Chashoti and people did not get time to react to the disaster. This place is the last point of the Paddar area where there is vehicular movement and from there the devotees walk about 10 km to reach Machail temple. DC and SSP Kishtwar immediately reached the spot to monitor the rescue operations and SDRF, NDRF, Police, Civil Administration and local NGOs reached the spot for rescue operations.
I just spoke to the Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 14, 2025
CM Omar Abdullah spoke to Home Minister
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, “I have just spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim and accurate, there is a delay in getting verified information from the cloudburst affected area. All possible resources are being mobilised from within and outside J&K to manage rescue operations…”
Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of…
We are keeping a close watch on the situation: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “Spoke to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on the cloudburst incident in Kishtwar district. The local administration is carrying out relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have immediately reached the spot. We are keeping a close watch on the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in every situation. Assured all possible help to the needy people.”
Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma.
Statement of Union Minister Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Twitter, “Just now spoke to Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from Lok Sabha Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma.” He further said that the massive cloudburst in Chashoti area could lead to heavy loss of life. The administration has immediately swung into action and rescue teams have left for the site of incident. The damage is being assessed and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made. My office is receiving regular updates and all possible assistance will be provided.
Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.
Lt. Governor directed to provide all possible assistance
On the incident, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.
