Rescuers in Indian-administered Kashmir worked through mud and debris on Friday to recover bodies after a sudden flood swept through Chisoti village, killing at least 60 people and leaving 80 missing.
The disaster struck on Thursday when a cloudburst unleashed torrents of water, mud, and boulders on the remote Himalayan settlement in Kishtwar district. Officials said a large makeshift kitchen serving more than 100 Hindu pilgrims visiting a nearby shrine was completely washed away.
“It was horrifying,” said Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking from a local hospital. “Boulders and a rush of water came down from the mountain. We all got separated while trying to save ourselves.”
Kishtwar district hospital chief Yudhvir Kotwal said over 100 people had been treated for injuries ranging from head trauma to fractured bones. The army’s White Knight Corps reported that troops were “braving harsh weather and rugged terrain” to evacuate survivors and retrieve the dead.
Rescue teams have deployed ropes, digging tools, and emergency supplies to the disaster zone. Officials warn that heavy rains and damaged roads are complicating operations.
Floods and landslides are frequent during India’s June–September monsoon season, but experts say climate change and unplanned development are intensifying their impact. Just last week, floods in Uttarakhand’s Dharali buried the town in mud, with the death toll expected to exceed 70.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the disasters during his Independence Day speech in New Delhi, offered condolences and pledged joint state–federal efforts to support affected communities.
