Massive cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar: 12 bodies recovered from affected village; Machail Mata Yatra suspended, CM Omar Abdullah briefs Amit Shah about situation

NEW DELHI: At least 12 bodies have been recovered after a massive cloudburst struck Chosoti, a remote village en route to the Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar district, officials said on Thursday. Authorities have warned that the toll could rise further.Chosoti is the last motorable settlement before the Machail Mata shrine. Following the incident, the annual yatra has been suspended, and authorities have mobilised all available resources for rescue and relief operations.A team led by the sub-divisional magistrate of Paddar has reached the affected area, while deputy commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and senior superintendent of police Naresh Singh are en route to supervise the rescue efforts.Following the incident, CM Omar Abdullah spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and briefed him about the situation and ongoing rescue operations."I just spoke to the Union home minister Amit Shah to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim and accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised from within and beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. The government will share information as and when possible," the CM posted on X.Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences for the loss of lives and directed the Civil Administration, Police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF to strengthen rescue and relief operations."Anguished by the cloudburst in Chosoti, Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of the injured. Directed officials to provide all possible assistance to those affected," he said on X.Union Minister Jitendra Singh also confirmed the incident, stating that the administration had immediately swung into action and rescue teams had been dispatched to the site.Authorities are currently assessing the damage and making arrangements for medical aid, relief, and further rescue operations in the affected region.(With agency inputs)