In the wake of a devastating cloudburst that struck Chashoti village in Kishtwar district on Thursday, the White Knight Corps has deployed over 300 troops, supported by medical teams, to lead large-scale rescue and relief operations. The disaster, which triggered flash floods along the Machail Mata Yatra route, has left at least 45 dead, over 100 injured, and many still missing.
Officials confirmed that five columns of 60 personnel each, along with medical detachments, are working in close coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and civilian agencies to evacuate residents, treat the injured, and search for the missing. Around 80 injured were rescued on Thursday night, several of whom were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for advanced care.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams—comprising 180 personnel with advanced search-and-rescue equipment—have been dispatched from Udhampur following orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Relief operations remain in full swing as authorities rush food, medical supplies, and rescue gear to affected areas.
The tragedy has also hit Bandipora district, where a separate cloudburst in Kodara caused flash floods. Four children were rescued safely, though property damage was reported. Local authorities have issued alerts to residents in vulnerable zones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several other leaders have expressed grief and assured full central assistance. “Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need,” PM Modi said, adding that the situation is being closely monitored.
Kishtwar’s Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma said that control rooms and help desks have been activated across the district, with all subdivisions on high alert. Police teams are stationed in remote areas to respond to landslides, road blockages, and further flooding risks.
The cloudburst struck between noon and 1 p.m., washing away parts of Chashoti and damaging infrastructure, cutting off road access to several remote villages. The site, being the last motorable point before the Machail Mata temple, had drawn a large number of yatris, increasing the scale of the disaster.
As per Additional SP Pardeep Singh, rescue teams—comprising J&K Police, SDRF, Fire Services, CISF, CRPF, and the Army—are still recovering bodies and searching for survivors. “Forty-five have been confirmed dead, while many more are feared missing. The identification process is underway,” Singh said.
Authorities are continuing rescue operations despite challenging terrain and damaged connectivity, with a focus on reaching stranded villagers, restoring roads, and ensuring the supply of essential relief materials.
