Kishtwar Cloudburst: Pilgrims Swept Away While Eating Langar, Resting Near Nullah
Groups of pilgrims were caught off guard and swept away when flash floods struck following a sudden cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar on Thursday. Many were standing in or around the Jasnai nullah or sitting near a community kitchen (langar) when the water level surged.
The devastating floods have claimed over 46 lives and injured more than a hundred, while dozens are still being rescued. Officials have said that rescue operations are being hampered by continuous rainfall in the area.
According to reports from the Indian Express and Hindustan Times, the tragedy occurred at Chasoti village, a key stop on the pilgrimage to the Machail Mata Mandir.
“The deluge hit a community kitchen set up for the pilgrims where 100 to 150 people were having food,” an official told the Hindustan Times.
The Jasnai nullah is a regular halt along the route to the Chandi Mata temple in Paddar. The pilgrimage, which began on July 25, has so far seen more than 1.3 lakh devotees visit the shrine. This weekend is especially significant as the number of pilgrims rises sharply during Bhadoon Sankranti (August 15–16), when devotees gather to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Local residents reported that the cloudburst struck between noon and 1 pm, with most pilgrims gathered at Chasoti, the last motorable point before the Kali Mata temple at 2,880 metres. Devotees had parked their vehicles and were either at makeshift shops, resting at the langar, or proceeding on foot along the nullah when the flood hit.
Witnesses said that the surge of water came within seconds, sweeping away numerous pilgrims and leaving little time for anyone to react.
