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| Buried under debris, bound by silence: Amid fading hopes, Kishtwar awaits a miracle | | | Atul sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 16: Two days after a devastating cloudburst ravaged Chosoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, a desperate search continues for nearly 70 to 80 missing persons, most of them pilgrims en route to the revered Machail Mata shrine. Amid debris-strewn slopes and relentless rain, families cling to the fading hope that their loved ones might still be alive.
Rescue teams comprising the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police, and local volunteers have intensified efforts on the ground, despite hostile terrain and adverse weather. So far, 65 bodies have been recovered from the rubble. The final toll is feared to rise as time ticks by.
The anguished relatives of the missing are camping at Chosoti, refusing to leave the site of the calamity. “Every passing hour shatters another thread of hope, but we are still praying for a miracle,” said one grief-stricken woman, watching rescue operations unfold.
Chosoti, the last motorable village on the Machail Mata Yatra route, bore the full fury of nature when a sudden cloudburst on August 14 triggered a deadly flash flood. Torrents of rock, mud, and debris swept through the narrow valley, trapping dozens in its wake. Entire families, including children, remain untraceable.
Agriculture Minister Javad Dar confirmed the scale of the tragedy, stating that rescue operations are ongoing, with coordination from the Air Force, which has deployed helicopters from Jammu, Srinagar, and Udhampur to deliver supplies and evacuate the injured. Over 160 people have been rescued so far.
Rajinder Thakur, a volunteer who was running a langar (community kitchen) at Chosoti, choked back tears as he said, “We've lost our brothers and sisters. But we won’t stop searching—not until the last person is found.”
Medical teams are providing care at multiple locations. Forty-five injured are currently being treated at Atholi Sub-District Hospital, while others have been shifted to GMC Kishtwar and surrounding facilities.
The calamity has also caused a suspension of the Machail Mata Yatra, delivering a severe blow to the region's economy and spiritual life. Locals, heavily reliant on the annual pilgrimage for livelihood, now find themselves grappling with both loss and livelihood insecurity.
Experts have renewed warnings about the increasing frequency of cloudbursts in the fragile Himalayan belt, linking them to climate change, deforestation, and unscientific construction practices. These factors have amplified the vulnerability of mountain communities to such extreme weather events.
As the nation mourns, appeals for support and solidarity continue. Authorities have urged people to contact the Kishtwar District Control Room at 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, or 7006463710 NDRF Helpline: 9711077372 / 011-24363260
The tragedy at Chosoti has struck at the heart of countless families, their faith now resting on every shovel lifted, every voice called through the debris. As grief casts a long shadow over the mountains, India stands in solidarity with Kishtwar, hoping still for one more heartbeat beneath the rubble. |
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