Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir
A devastating cloudburst in the remote Himalayan village of Chositi has triggered flash floods and landslides, leaving at least 60 dead and over 80 missing. Rescue operations are underway, with more than 300 people evacuated so far, but officials warn the toll may rise as heavy rains continue to lash the region.
The floods struck during an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a shrine perched 3,000 meters above sea level. The community kitchen serving over 200 pilgrims was swept away, along with dozens of vehicles and homes. Survivors describe scenes of chaos as torrents of water surged down the mountainside, burying families under mud and debris.
Disaster management teams are racing against time, hampered by blocked roads and unstable terrain. Weather officials have forecast continued rainfall, raising fears of further landslides.
Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, over 389 roads remain closed, including two national highways. The state has recorded 74 flash floods and 36 cloudbursts this monsoon season, with damages exceeding 2,194 crore.