Kishtwar Cloudburst: Death Toll Climbs To 65 As Rescue Teams Race Against Time

I have seen many stories of natural disasters in my lifetime, but what happened in Chisoti village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar still leaves me shaken. Imagine a mother waiting endlessly for her missing son, his wife, and her little grandson. Six days have gone by since the devastating Kishtwar cloudburst, and yet, for many families, hope is the only strength they hold onto. This disaster has not just flattened homes and temples, it has crushed countless dreams and left scars that may never heal. { Sources PTI}

Death Toll Climbs To 65

On August 14, a cloudburst struck Chisoti, the last motorable village on the route to the sacred Machail Mata temple. Since then, the Kishtwar cloudburst has claimed 65 lives. Rescue teams recovered the body of a woman from downstream waters on Tuesday morning, while sniffer dogs and heavy machinery continue to search the debris. The officials say 167 people have been rescued so far, but 39 are still missing. Every recovered body brings both grief and closure, yet for families waiting by the rubble, every hour feels heavier than the last.

Scenes From The Ground

I can only imagine the chaos that unfolded that night. A makeshift market, a langar (community kitchen) for pilgrims, houses, temples, water mills, and even a 30-metre bridge—all washed away in a matter of moments. The flash floods didn’t just take lives, they swept away the very soul of this village.

Rescue teams, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, CISF, BRO, and local volunteers, have been working day and night. Heavy machines, sniffer dogs, and even controlled explosions are being used to clear giant boulders. Army engineers have built a Bailey bridge to restore some connectivity, while relief columns and medical teams are trying to keep the survivors safe. But the scale of destruction is so massive that it feels like a battle against nature itself.

Families Living On Hope

It is not just about numbers—65 dead, 167 rescued, 39 missing—it is about faces, voices, and lives. I read about a widow who still waits for news of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. She sits there, with nothing but hope in her heart, praying that maybe tomorrow, she will hear something. This is what breaks me the most—how one disaster can snatch away generations in a single night.

Faith Amid Despair

The annual Machail Mata yatra, which usually fills these mountains with chants and devotion, has been suspended for the sixth straight day. Yet, the authorities have decided to allow a symbolic group carrying the sacred ‘Charri’ to proceed. It’s like a ray of faith piercing through the darkness. Despite the tragedy, people are holding onto their belief that the goddess will give them strength.

Rescue Operations Continue Relentlessly

The White Knight Corps of the Army has deployed five relief columns, with additional medical teams joining in. Earth-movers and all-terrain vehicles are being used to reach even the remotest spots. The rescuers are searching upstream, downstream, and everywhere in between, because even one life saved makes all the difference.

The weather has improved, which has given some breathing space to the teams. But for the families standing by the riverbank, time seems frozen. They don’t care about numbers or official updates—they only want to see the faces they love again.

The Wounds Left Behind

The Kishtwar cloudburst is more than a natural calamity—it’s a reminder of how fragile life can be. Homes can be rebuilt, bridges can be reconstructed, but the lives lost in Chisoti will never come back. For me, this tragedy feels like a wound on the heart of Jammu and Kashmir. And for those families still waiting, the only medicine left is hope.

Disclaimer:

This article is based on reports from official sources and on-ground updates. The situation is evolving, and details may change as rescue and relief operations continue.

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