Cloudburst In Kashmir Leaves 46 Dead, Over 200 Missing In Chashoti Pilgrimage Tragedy

 

A sudden and intense burst of rainfall has devastated the town of Chashoti in India-administered Kashmir, killing at least 46 people and leaving more than 200 missing, according to local officials. The disaster has prompted massive search and rescue operations, underscoring the growing vulnerability of Himalayan communities to extreme weather events.

The rain, described by meteorologists as a cloudburst—over 100 mm (4 inches) of rainfall in just one hour—triggered flash floods that turned streets into torrents, swept away vehicles, and reduced entire buildings to rubble. Videos shared online show walls of water, mud, and debris cascading down mountainsides.

Chashoti, a popular starting point for the Machail yatra pilgrimage to the high-altitude shrine of Machail Mata, was crowded with Hindu pilgrims when the floods struck late Thursday morning. The deluge destroyed a community kitchen and a security post along the pilgrimage route.

“A large number of pilgrims had gathered for lunch and they were washed away,” said a local official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the situation “grim” and said that “all possible resources are being mobilised from within and beyond J&K” to aid the rescue. Army, police, disaster response teams, and air force units have been deployed. Survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The floods come just weeks after a similar weather disaster struck Uttarakhand in northern India, where a surge of floodwater killed at least four people. Experts warn that the region’s steep terrain and fragile infrastructure make it particularly susceptible to cloudbursts during the monsoon season.

The tragedy has also cast a shadow over upcoming Independence Day celebrations, with Abdullah announcing the cancellation of some planned events.

Rescue teams continue to search for the missing, navigating treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather in hopes of finding survivors.