Machail (Kistawar): Hundreds of pilgrims on Saturday converged at the Machail Mata temple and offered special prayers for the safety of the missing persons and for those who lost their lives in a cloudburst at Chisoti village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday.
Flash floods triggered by the cloudburst struck Chisoti — the last motorable village en route the Machail Mata temple — at around 12.30 pm on August 14, leaving 60 persons dead and more than 100 injured.
Locals and pilgrims assembled at the temple in large numbers on Saturday and paid homage to those killed in the tragic cloudburst.
The cloudburst, which struck Chasoti village, resulted in numerous casualties and left many others stranded, including pilgrims on the Machail Mata Yatra. Devotees are praying at the temple for the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured, as well as for the safe return of those still trapped.
The tragic incident has deeply impacted the Machail Mata Yatra, a pilgrimage route to the Chandi Mata Mandir in Machail, Paddar Valley, which is a popular destination for thousands of devotees. The cloudburst has caused significant disruption to the pilgrimage, and rescue operations are underway to locate survivors and provide aid to those affected, according to news reports.
Rescue efforts are being intensified, and authorities are also focusing on providing support and relief to the affected families. Officials are assessing the situation and working to ensure that those who have lost their homes and livelihoods receive the necessary assistance. The tragedy has prompted widespread expressions of grief and solidarity from across the region, with many calling for unity and support for the people of Kishtwar.
