Cloudburst triggers deadly flash floods in Kashmir village, sweeping away homes and pilgrims as rescue efforts face challenges
Cloudburst triggers deadly flash floods in Kashmir village, sweeping away homes and pilgrims as rescue efforts face challenges
At least 34 people have died after sudden flash floods struck a remote village in Indian-administered Kashmir, where Hindu pilgrims had gathered along a major religious route. The tragedy unfolded in Chositi village, located in the mountainous Kishtwar district, a key stop for those journeying to a revered Himalayan shrine.
Videos circulating online reveal the terrifying power of the floodwaters vehicles were swept away, homes destroyed, and survivors waded through mud-covered streets while rescue teams searched the rubble for signs of life. Many residents, visibly shaken and caked in mud, cried as they watched their community torn apart.
Authorities believe a cloudburst triggered the disaster. Federal Minister Jitendra Singh described the flooding as occurring on “massive scale,” noting that rescue efforts were hampered by washed-out roads and poor weather, making helicopter deployment unsafe. He warned the final death toll could be significantly higher, with at least 50 people still unaccounted for.
One witness from the nearby village of Atholi said that he saw “at least 15 bodies” brought to the local hospital. A community kitchen serving lunch to pilgrims was reportedly swept away entirely, according to a interview with a local official.
Omar Abdullah, the region’s Chief Minister, called the incident a “tragedy” and canceled upcoming Independence Day cultural events in response. He said accurate information from the area was coming in slowly, but all emergency resources had been mobilised to support the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised “every possible assistance” to those affected.
The Kashmir disaster follows a series of severe flash floods across northern India due to relentless monsoon rains. Just last week, the village of Dharali in Uttarakhand was half-submerged by flooding, with 66 people still missing and only one confirmed dead.
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