A massive cloudburst struck Chasoti (also spelt Chisoti) — the last motorable point before the 9,500-foot-high Machail Mata temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district — between 12 and 1 pm during the annual yatra, when hundreds of devotees were present. The village marks the start of the 8.5-km trek to the shrine.
The disaster, which triggered flash floods, hit a community kitchen (langar) serving pilgrims, causing widespread destruction. Over 160 people have been rescued so far, with 38 in serious condition. One CISF official’s body has been recovered, while three remain missing. They were deployed on temporary security duty for the yatra. Rescue operations continue in difficult, rain-lashed terrain strewn with debris.
Union minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the incident, stating that the administration had mobilised teams for damage assessment, medical aid, and evacuation. Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah briefed Union home minister Amit Shah on the “grim” situation, stressing that all resources from within and outside J&K were being mobilised. LG Manoj Sinha expressed anguish and directed civil, police, army, NDRF, and SDRF teams to scale up rescue and relief efforts.
The incident comes amid widespread monsoon havoc across India’s hilly states. In Uttarakhand, landslides blocked roads in Chamoli, while Uttarkashi is still recovering from the August 5 cloudburst in Dharali and Harsil that swept away homes. In Himachal Pradesh, flash floods and cloudbursts in multiple districts, including Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti, have left 396 roads closed and caused significant property damage. A ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain remains in effect in Himachal until August 20.
The current spell of intense monsoon rainfall has heightened risks of cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods, with mountain states bearing the brunt of destruction and displacement.
