Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir – August 14, 2025 — A deadly cloudburst struck the Chasoti village in Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the loss of at least 38 lives and injuring over 100 others. The incident occurred between 12 and 1 PM in a remote area on the route to the revered Machail Mata temple, just as a large crowd of pilgrims had gathered for the annual yatra.
Local authorities confirmed that Chasoti — the last motorable point before the shrine — was severely affected by sudden flash floods triggered by the cloudburst. Massive damage to property and roads has also been reported.
Rescue Operations Underway, NDRF Deployed
In response to the calamity, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah held conversations with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to assess the situation. Shah announced that multiple National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been dispatched, and the central government is closely coordinating with local agencies.
Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing in full swing, with support from armed forces, police, and local volunteers. Several people are still believed to be missing.
Helpline Numbers for Families and Pilgrims
To facilitate communication and aid efforts, the Union Territory administration has launched a dedicated help desk. People in need of assistance or information about missing individuals can reach out through the following helpline numbers:
Relief and Help Desk: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, 7006463710
District Control Room: 01995-259555, 9484217492
Police Control Room (Kishtwar): 9906154100
Nation Mourns: Political Leaders React
Expressions of sorrow and solidarity have poured in from across the political spectrum. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge conveyed his deep grief over the tragedy, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured.
“My heart goes out to all those affected. I urge the authorities to scale up relief operations by deploying additional NDRF and Armed Forces personnel. Congress workers must offer every possible support to the victims during this hour of crisis,” Kharge said in a statement.
Former Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also voiced his condolences via a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling the incident “deeply tragic” and urging for swift recovery efforts to find the missing.
Pilgrimage Turned Tragic
The disaster has cast a dark shadow over the Machail Mata Yatra — a sacred pilgrimage drawing thousands of devotees each year. The affected region, already challenging in terms of terrain and connectivity, now faces additional hurdles in restoring normalcy.
Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions in the region and have advised people to avoid traveling to high-risk areas until further notice.
