A serene pilgrimage turned tragic when a powerful cloudburst struck Chasoti village, the last motorable point en route to Machail Mata shrine, in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. Between noon and 1 pm, torrential waters surged through, claiming at least 60 lives many of them pilgrims while leaving over 100 injured.

Amid chaos, emergency teams swung into action. More than 160 survivors have since been rescued, yet 38 remain in critical condition. The search continues under brutal monsoon rains, with debris-strewn terrain hampering efforts.

One CISF officer lost life responding to the disaster, while three colleagues are still unaccounted for. The tragedy hit hardest where pilgrims had gathered for a communal langar near the route amplifying the heartache.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke of the grim toll, underscoring the difficulty in receiving prompt, verified information amid the remote chaos. Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that rescue operations are fully underway, with medical aid and support mobilized swiftly.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed civil, police, army, NDRF, and SDRF teams to intensify relief and rescue operations, emphasizing urgent support for survivors and grieving families. This devastating event comes as heavy monsoon rains continue to rage across the region following recent flash floods in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where landslides and infrastructure disruption have added to mounting hardships.