J&K Kishtwar cloudburst highlights: 46 dead, over 100 people injured; rescue ops on

Large groups of pilgrims were gathered at Chasoti village in J&K's Kishtwar — a key stop on the pilgrimage to the Hindu shrine Machail Mata Mandir — and collecting food from a langar (community kitchen) when flash floods washed them away on Thursday.

Triggered reportedly by a cloudburst, the flash floods claimed at least 37 lives, deputy commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma told HT. More than 100 people are injured, while more than 60 have so far been rescued, officials added. The death toll is likely to rise as rescue efforts are hindered by continuous rain. Read more.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: J&K Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, while talking about cloudburst in Kishtwar, told ANI, "...This is a major incident of cloudburst...We were making preparations for the Independence Day celebration tomorrow...but this mishap occurred amid those preparations...There has been a huge loss and as far as casualty is concerned, I won't be able to give you an exact number; the numbers shouldn't be wrong. We have received some information but I will not disclose it right now. As far as the injured are concerned, it is around 98-100. Government is making all efforts to rescue the injured and help them. CM is personally monitoring this...Helpline has been issued and administration has been given all directions...CM has cancelled the "At Home" event he was scheduled to have in Srinagar. I too have ordered the cancellation of "At Home" event in Jammu. Cultural activities following the parade have also been cancelled...We will have a simple parade, a small event and national anthem. There won't be an elaborate event...May the departed soul rest in peace, their families get strength to bear this pain and the injured recover soon."

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: “In light of the tragedy caused by the cloud burst in Kishtwar I have taken the decision to cancel the “At Home” tea party tomorrow evening. We have also decided not to go ahead with the cultural events during the morning Independence Day celebrations. The formal events - speech, march past etc will go ahead as planned,” Omar Abdullah posted on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: 37 people have died so far and over 100 have been injured, said DC Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma.

He added that number of missing people is not known yet.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: IGP Jammu zone BS Tuti said that the number of casualties are still not clear. However, he confirmed that over 30 have died and 75 are injured and added that the number of casualties is likely to go up.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: 23 feared dead after cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar and 75 people have been injured.

Roads in the region have been washed away and rescue ops are on.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed grief over the incident. "Deeply saddened by the cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Urge the govt to immediately carry out rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance and treatment for those affected,” he said in a post on X.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma said he had received information from his workers that a massive cloudburst has occurred. "At the moment, I don't think anyone has exact figures but I believe there could be significant damage in the area," he said, adding that there were a lot of people gathered for the yatra.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: While 17 people have been confirmed dead, 65 people have been rescued so far, PTI reported citing officials. They added that the death toll could go up.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: PM Modi said that the situation in Kishtwar region after cloudburst is beinh monitored closely.

“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,” he said in a post on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: “I would like to tell the Prime Minister to take the issue of global warming very seriously. This has become very common in hilly areas. One or the other method will have to be looked for to overcome this. So, I appeal to him to think in this hour of grief about how this can be remedied,” former Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah told media after cloudburst in Kishtwar.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Body of one CISF official found has been found at the site the of the cloudburst in Kishtwar while three others missing. They were on temporary internal security duty at a temple in the region.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: On flash flood in the Chashoti area in Kishtwar, divisional commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar told ANI, "At around 11.30 am in the morning, we received information that a cloudburst occurred in the Chashoti area in Kishtwar. SRDF, local police and administration reached the spot. The NDRF team is also about to reach the spot. The army, air force teams have also been activated. Search and rescue operations are underway..."

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Hours after a massive cloudburst hit Chosti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, visuals from the site show extensive damage and panic in affected areas.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: According to the India Meteorological Department, a cloudburst is a sudden, intense downpour over 100 mm of rain in just one hour that can trigger flash floods, landslides, and devastation, especially in mountainous regions during the monsoon.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: “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 Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need," said home minister Amit Shah on X.

Machail Mata pilgrimage is a spiritual journey in Machail in Paddar region of Kishtwar district in Jammu & Kashmir. Notably, the village of Machail in Paddar has recently gained prominence as a place of immense religious significance and sanctity due to the presence of the revered Chandi Mata temple, according to the Yatra's website.

Each year, on the occasion of the first Bhadon or Bhadoon Sankranti (15th or 16th August), devotees from all over Paddar gather outside the Chandi Mata temple in Machail to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said that he spoke to home minister Amit Shah about the situation in Kishtwar region. He added that he will not be speaking with media.

“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 from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible,” he wrote on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Flash floods triggered by cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir hits Narang village.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Chasoti is at an altitude of 9,500 ft and about 90 km from Kishtwar. A 'langar' set up for devotees bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flashfloods. (PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that the administration will make arrangements for heli-rescue at the site.

“I got a call from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma about a massive cloudburst in the area which he represents. It also happens to be the route of the popular Machail Mata Yatra which takes place there. The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties. We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the incident. Very soon we will know more details. Every possible assistance will be provided. The administration will also make arrangements for heli-rescue for medical treatment,” he said while talking to media.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Twelve bodies have been recovered from the site of cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar. Officials say that the death toll could go up, reported PTI.

Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar cloudburst LIVE updates: Two teams of the National Disaster Relieg Force moved from Udhampur to cloudburst-hit area in Kishtwar, PTI reported citing officials.