Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on a catastrophic cloudburst that struck Chositi village in Kishtwar district, claiming 60 lives and injuring over 100. In a post on X, Abdullah expressed gratitude for the Centre’s support, stating, “I briefed him about the situation in Kishtwar and the steps being taken by the administration.” The disaster, which occurred on Thursday during the Machail Mata Yatra, also left many missing and caused widespread damage, with flash floods destroying homes, infrastructure, and livestock.

Speaking at an Independence Day event at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Abdullah, in his first such address since becoming chief minister in October 2024, began by mourning the tragedy. “This is a joyous day for the nation, but the loss of 60 lives in Kishtwar is heartbreaking,” he said, noting the uncertainty around the number of missing individuals. He offered condolences to affected families and prayers for the injured, assuring comprehensive government aid. The White Knight Corps deployed 300 troops and medical teams for rescue operations, while Union Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed condolences, emphasizing ongoing support.

Abdullah raised concerns about administrative lapses, given prior weather forecasts warning of heavy rains and flash floods. “We must ascertain if there was any failure on the administration’s part. Could we have done more to save these precious lives?” he questioned, vowing to hold the administration accountable. The chief minister canceled cultural Independence Day events in response to the tragedy, prioritizing relief efforts.

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This cloudburst follows another in Ramban district on April 20, 2025, which killed three, including two children, and damaged 37 homes. Abdullah’s multiple visits to Ramban, where he trekked rugged terrain to meet affected families, reflect his hands-on approach. The Kishtwar disaster, with a higher toll, underscores the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, prompting calls for better early warning systems and disaster preparedness to prevent future losses.

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