Kishtwar Cloudburst Survivors in J&K Plead for Permanent Relocation

In the remote Chesoti village of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, survivors of the August 14 cloudburst live under constant fear and trauma, demanding that the government relocate them permanently to a safer place. The cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides, killing at least 68 people, damaging homes, and leaving dozens missing.

For many villagers, the tragedy has not just destroyed homes but also shattered their sense of safety. Rakesh Kumar, whose house was swept away, now lives with relatives. “When the sun sets, we feel scared. We don’t sleep properly. Every sound—even the wind or a light drizzle—makes us think another cloudburst is coming,” he said.

The devastation was widespread. At least 14 residential houses were reduced to rubble, while local dhabas built for Mata Machail yatris were washed away in the flash floods. The village also lost 10 residents, with four still untraced.

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Another survivor, Bilu Kumar, who lost his home and has a missing uncle, said the silence at night is unbearable. “Even the slightest sound sends us into panic. The government must shift us to a safer place. We can’t live here anymore,” he pleaded.

The fear has particularly scarred children, women, and the elderly, with residents reporting deep psychological trauma. Families insist that relocation is the only way forward. “We appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, LoP Sunil Sharma, and the Deputy Commissioner to shift the entire village. Our lives here will always be at risk,” said a villager.

Local voices stress that Chesoti’s remoteness compounds the threat. Akhil Sharma, whose in-laws live in the village, warned that during winters, rescue operations would take much longer. “The yatra season brought immediate response this time. But if tragedy strikes in winter, casualties could be far higher. Relocating 60–70 households won’t cost much to the state exchequer,” he said.

Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations entered their ninth day, with teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, BRO, and NGOs still searching. So far, 68 bodies have been recovered, along with scattered body parts. Officials said 36 people remain missing, with the search now extended from Chesoti to Gulabgarh, 22 km downstream.

For Chesoti’s residents, however, survival no longer means food or shelter alone it means living without the constant fear of nature striking again.

Also Read: Kishtwar Cloudburst: Death Toll Climbs to 63 as Rescue Efforts Persist