Jammu, Aug 14: A massive cloudburst struck a remote mountain village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 20 people and trapping many more, officials said.

The dead toll could go up, they said, adding that 98 people have been rescued so far. Of these, the condition of 28 is said to be serious.

Two CISF personnel have been killed in the calamity, they said.

A large-scale rescue operation is underway by NDRF, SDRF, police, Army and local volunteers, the officials said.

The disaster struck Chositi, the last motorable village en route to Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm, when a large number of people had gathered for the Machail Mata yatra, which commenced on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5. The 8.5 kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine begins from Chositi.

Chositi is about 90 kilometres from Kishtwar town. A ‘langar’ (community kitchen) set up for the devotees here bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flash floods and washed away several structures including shops and a security outpost.

Immediately after the calamity struck, Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, mobilised rescue teams and headed towards the spot to personally supervise the operations along with the Senior Superintendent of Police.

“A massive cloudburst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in an X post. The minister said he also spoke to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner on the matter.

The annual yatra to the Machail Mata shrine was suspended following the tragedy as the authorities mobilised all resources for rescue operations at Chositi, officials said.

Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been rushed from Udhampur to Kishtwar.

“Massive rescue operations have been started in the area,” said the deputy commissioner, who was on way to the spot.

Officials added that the flash floods hit several houses clustered together in the foothills.

Lt Gov Manoj Sinha condoled the loss of lives in the incident.

“Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of the injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected,” he said on X.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma said he had received information from his workers that a massive cloudburst has occurred. “At the moment, I don’t think anyone has exact figures but I believe there could be significant damage in the area,” he said, adding that there were a lot of people gathered for the yatra.

Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed grief over the incident.

“Deeply saddened by the cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Urge the govt to immediately carry out rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance and treatment for those affected,” he said in a post on X.

BJP leader Jehanzaib Sirwal, while extending his deepest condolences to the affected people, said the heart-breaking incident underscores a broader concern that cannot be ignored –the unchecked proliferation of power projects in Kishtwar.

“While development is essential, the ongoing projects, pursued without rigorous mechanisms or proper environmental assessments, pose a grave threat to our fragile ecosystem,” Sirwal said, urging the Centre to institute immediate and thorough checks on these initiatives.

“If robust measures are not implemented even now, the consequences for Kishtwar and its people could be even more catastrophic in the years ahead,” he said.

Srinagar, Aug 14: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thuresday said he had spoken with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. He assured full support to the “people in need”.

Shah further said that “We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation”.

In a post on X, Shah wrote “Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site.”

“We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need,” the Home Minister said. he added

The cloudburst has triggered rescue measures as authorities work to assist affected residents and assess damages.

Srinagar, Aug 14: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday said that those found involved in selling rotten meat in Jammu and Kashmir will not be spared and strict action will be taken against them.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Dulloo said that all arrangements for Independence Day celebrations have been made by the administration with rehearsals already conducted.

“The main functions will be held in every district tomorrow,” he added.

On the issue of rotten meat, the Chief Secretary said that action has already been initiated. “The Chief Minister recently chaired a meeting and directed enforcement agencies to take the strict possible action. Other concerned agencies have also been asked to act against those involved,” Dulloo said.—(KNO)

Jammu, Aug 14: Security was intensified across the Jammu region on Thursday with increased checking, patrolling and area domination ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, officials said.

A multi-tier security grid of the Army, BSF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police has been kept on high vigilance along the Line of Control and International Border to foil any nefarious designs from across the border, they said.

Quick Response Teams (QRTs) of the J-K Police have been deployed in Jammu city, they said, adding that checking and frisking have been intensified at entry and exit points in every district and on important roads.

Deployment of police and central paramilitary forces along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Jammu-Pathankot Highway have also been strengthened, the officials said.

Security has been beefed up in all the 10 districts of the Jammu region, with more focus on area domination and deployments in militancy-infested districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, and Kathua, they said.

The main Independence Day in Jammu function will be held at Maulana Azad Stadium, where Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary will unfurl the Tricolour and take the salute.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will preside over the Independence Day main function to be held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

Special arrangements have been put in place around the venue of the main function, they said.

Additional Superintendent of Police Udhampur Sandeep Bhat said, “In view of the Independence Day celebrations tomorrow, we have implemented strict security measures across the district, from national highways to hilly areas like Basantgarh and Latti.”

“CRPF and CISF personnel are deployed, with sniffer dogs and anti-sabotage checks in place. Security along the highway is alert,” he said.

Border grid security has been tightened further, and all border roads are being kept under strict watch, the officials said, adding that important border roads and highways are being monitored through CCTV.

Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies have been deployed and assigned the task of intensified checking and area domination, patrolling round the clock, they said.

The police have issued a security advisory in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, seeking people’s cooperation during checking and asking them to report to security agencies any suspicious movement or object.