Cloudburst in Jammu & Kashmir: Identification of Victims Underway

Jammu, Aug 15 (PTI) — In the wake of the devastating cloudburst in the remote Chisoti village of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, authorities have identified 21 out of the 46 bodies recovered, officials reported on Friday.

The catastrophic flash flood, triggered by the cloudburst on Thursday, resulted in the tragic death of at least 46 individuals, including two personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Efforts to identify the victims involved sharing their photographs through a WhatsApp group with the affected families, enabling the identification of 21 bodies thus far.

More than 160 people have been rescued from the calamity, with 38 reported to be in serious condition.

Officials warn that the death toll may rise further, as many individuals are still believed to be trapped under debris.

Authorities have been disseminating images of the deceased to families to assist in identification. The tragic event has led to a surge in families seeking information about missing relatives.

In response to the natural disaster, the Jammu and Kashmir administration established a control room-cum-help desk in Paddar, located approximately 15 km from the affected Chisoti village. This facility has been instrumental in providing assistance and information to the public and pilgrims caught in the flash floods’ aftermath.

Currently, five officials are on duty at the control room, and they can be reached at the following numbers: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.

Since the onset of this tragic event, the help desk has received numerous distress calls. Authorities continue their efforts to trace 67 individuals reported missing by families through the help desk.

A senior official noted that while 45 bodies have been retrieved to date, identification is still ongoing for those not yet recognized by families.

The disaster has also affected two nearby villages, Machail and Hamori, where hundreds remain stranded, their mobile phone batteries depleted due to the power outage caused by the cloudburst.

Authorities anticipate that once contact is reestablished, they will have a clearer understanding of the situation regarding those who are stranded.

The search operations are set to continue, aiming to uncover more victims from the debris and mud that now characterizes the area.

Locals have reported observing 10 bodies floating in the Chenab river, prompting ongoing recovery efforts.

Chisoti village, known as a base camp for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, was filled with pilgrims at the time of Thursday’s disaster, which struck between 12 noon and 1 pm.

The flash floods brought with them mudslides and debris flows that buried homes, businesses, and vehicles, leaving a trail of casualties and unaccounted individuals.

The torrents also swept away a security camp, numerous vehicles parked at the bus stand, and several other structures, although a temple in the flood’s path astonishingly remained intact.

A community kitchen providing meals for devotees was heavily impacted, with several structures including shops and a security outpost being washed away.

Vehicles at the bus stand, the starting point for the pilgrimage to the Machail Mata temple, sustained severe damage due to the powerful floodwaters and mud.

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