SRINAGAR: Over 12 people have been killed and several others are reported to be missing after a massive cloud-burst hit Chishoti village in the Padder sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday.
Twelve bodies have been recovered so, confirms Sajjad Shaheen, MLA Banihal in a post on X.
The disaster occurred between 12 noon and 1 pm in Chasoti, the last motorable point before the Machail Mata temple, where hundreds of devotees had gathered for the ongoing yatra. From Chasoti, pilgrims embark on an 8.5 km trek to the shrine. The cloudburst triggered sudden flash floods, with a ‘langar’ set up for devotees taking the worst hit.
The annual yatra to the shrine was suspended following the tragedy as authorities mobilised all resources and headed to the scene to conduct a massive rescue and relief operation, the officials said.
Meanwhile, massive rescue operation are underway to locate the missing persons.