A massive cloudburst struck Chasoti, the last motorable village on the route to the Machail Mata shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, on Thursday, leaving at least 10 people feared dead. The sudden disaster triggered flash floods that damaged several houses in the densely populated hamlet situated at the foothills. Following the incident, the annual Machail Mata yatra was immediately suspended as authorities rushed resources to the site to begin large-scale rescue and relief operations. Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Naresh Singh are personally supervising the on-ground efforts, supported by teams led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Padder.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief over the loss of lives, extending condolences to the bereaved families and wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured. He directed civil administration, police, army, and disaster response teams from NDRF and SDRF to intensify rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance to those affected. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also confirmed the incident on social media, describing it as a massive cloudburst with potential for substantial casualties. He assured that the administration had acted swiftly, with rescue teams already dispatched to the disaster site.

Local leaders, including Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma, warned that the extent of damage might be significant, especially given the congestion in the area due to the ongoing yatra. The densely populated location at the foothills has made the rescue operation particularly challenging. With heavy damage anticipated, emergency response teams are working against the clock to search for survivors, provide medical assistance, and restore essential connectivity in the region. The disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of mountainous regions in the face of extreme weather events.