A devastating cloudburst unleashed torrential rain in Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people in the Chisoti area of Kishtwar district. The disaster struck on Thursday morning, marking the second major incident in the Himalayas within just over a week. According to Mohammed Irshad, a top disaster management official, rescue teams have brought at least 100 people to safety, with 37 bodies recovered so far. “Dead bodies of 37 people have been recovered,” Irshad said, adding that there was no count of any missing people available.
The cloudburst, which hit at around 11:30 am local time, triggered flash floods that swept through the settlement, catching pilgrims off guard. Television footage showed terrified pilgrims crying as water surged through the settlement. An official, who wished to remain anonymous, said the flood swept away a community kitchen and a security post set up to serve pilgrims. “A large number of pilgrims had gathered for lunch and they were washed away,” the official told Reuters.
Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, described the situation as “grim” and said confirmed details were slow to emerge from the remote location. Ramesh Kumar, divisional commissioner of Kishtwar, said police and disaster response teams were on the ground, while army and air force units had also been mobilized. “Search and rescue operations are under way,” Kumar said.
The Srinagar weather office has warned of further intense rainfall in several parts of Kashmir, including Kishtwar, and urged residents to avoid unstable structures, power lines, and old trees due to the risk of fresh landslides and flash floods. This warning comes as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies. According to reports, 98 people have been rescued so far, with 28 in serious condition. The death toll may rise as rescue operations continue. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha offered condolences and directed military, paramilitary, police, and disaster management personnel to intensify relief operations.
A cloudburst is defined as a sudden, extreme downpour exceeding 100mm of rain in an hour, often triggering flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions during the monsoon. This intense rainfall can lead to devastating consequences, as seen in the recent disaster in Kashmir.
Last week, a similar disaster in Uttarakhand, another Himalayan state, buried an entire village under mud and debris after heavy rains. The region is prone to such incidents due to its geography and climate. As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on providing aid to those affected and mitigating further damage.