The situation in Chasoti village, Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, has become extremely dire following a cloudburst. This calamity struck around 12:25 PM on Thursday, claiming 46 lives, including two CISF personnel, while 69 people are still missing.
The rescue operation, which was halted overnight, resumed Friday morning. Despite continuous rain, police, army, NDRF, SDRF, and local residents are diligently searching for survivors buried under the debris.
To expedite rescue efforts, the administration has deployed numerous earth movers to clear massive boulders, toppled trees, and electric poles. Authorities have reported that 167 people have been rescued with injuries so far.
Complete Village in Ruins
The disaster swept away 16 residential houses, government buildings, three temples, four water mills, and a 30-meter-long bridge. Many vehicles were also destroyed by the flooding. A temporary market, a community kitchen, and a security post were completely annihilated.
Chosity village is about 90 kilometers from Kishtwar and marks the final road halt for the Machail Mata temple pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of devotees embark on this journey, covering 8.5 kilometers on foot to reach the temple located at an altitude of 9,500 feet. This year, the pilgrimage, which started on July 25 and was to continue until September 5, was abruptly halted due to the disaster.
As of now, 167 individuals have been rescued with injuries. Videos on social media portray the horrifying extent of the damage, with homes flattened like leaves and roads obstructed by huge rocks.
Families Searching in Hospitals
The grief and pain of those affected by the cloudburst in Kishtwar are evident at the district hospital. Survivors from Chasoti village and their families are in shock due to this catastrophic event, and tears of those who lost loved ones flow ceaselessly.
Some have come to the hospital in search of their missing relatives, clutching photos of their loved ones who disappeared in this destructive flood. Despite being short-staffed, hospital personnel, along with SDRF troops, are assisting in transporting patients to wards and labs.
Stories of the Affected
Injured Usha Devi shared with reporters, 'It felt like the end of the world. There was just water and stones everywhere. We somehow survived to be here.' Another injured woman, unable to speak due to her injuries, has eyes that tell the story of her pain.
This tragic incident severely injured a boy as well. His mother, Anu, pleads, 'My son, my everything... please save him. His life has just begun.'
Tilak Raj Sharma, who arrived searching for his family members, displays a photo of his sister-in-law and says, "My sister-in-law is missing. We are all very worried. We don’t know where she is or what state she is in.”
Meanwhile, Anuj Kumar, frantically looking for his son, appears distraught, exclaiming, “Where is my son? He was supposed to return home. I’m searching for him everywhere.” Desh Kumar echoes the urgency, stating, “My two sisters are missing. We have looked everywhere for them, but they are nowhere to be found. May God keep them safe.”
Ongoing Rescue Operations
Army forces are actively engaged in relief and rescue efforts. The White Knight Corps of the army posted updates about the ongoing humanitarian and disaster relief operation in Chasoti village, highlighting the dedication of soldiers against adversities and harsh terrains to evacuate the injured. They are leveraging searchlights, ropes, and excavation tools for the relief mission.
Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, and SSP Naresh Singh are stationed on-site, overseeing the relief work. However, relief agencies fear that the death toll could rise.
This catastrophe transpired just nine days after a ferocious flash flood in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, where one person died and 68 people were reported missing.
