Kishtwar: In the wake of a devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, the Indian Army, along with disaster response teams, has launched a large-scale rescue operation to evacuate pilgrims stranded at the Machail Mata Temple. The disaster, which struck on Sunday, has claimed at least 55 lives so far.
Dramatic visuals from the site show Army personnel engaged in intense efforts to rescue those trapped and retrieve bodies from the debris. Despite the challenges, the response teams are pushing forward with the operation.
Local workers associated with the temple have also expressed their readiness to join relief efforts. One such worker shared his experience: “I had gone to Machail on July 22 as a cleaning worker. I returned today — everything is shut. People with shops and hotels are coming back. We want to help too. When we heard so many had died or were missing, it shocked us. We saw the photos and videos on social media.”
Another worker, also from Kishtwar, estimated that around 100 people could still be stranded at the temple. “I work as a cleaner at the temple. Many people have lost their lives. We’re all still scared. If this tragedy hadn’t occurred, many more would have been at the temple. There might be nearly 100 people still there,” he said emotionally, adding, “There is nothing left to see. We’re shedding tears.”
Amid the unfolding tragedy, a desperate appeal came from Mandeep Saini, a resident of Punjab, whose wife and mother-in-law went missing during the August 14 cloudburst in Chasoti village. Saini had dropped his wife at her parents’ home in Kishtwar for Rakshabandhan on August 9. She later left for darshan at the Machail Mata Mandir on August 12.
“We’ve had no news in four days. The six others who were with them are returning, but we have no idea where my wife and mother-in-law are,” Saini said, his voice filled with anguish. “My last conversation with her was from Udhampur station. We’re all extremely worried. My only request to the government is to please help find them.”
Major General APS Bal, General Officer Commanding Counter Insurgency Force – Delta, confirmed that the Army responded rapidly, reaching the affected site within 45 minutes of the cloudburst. He assured that security forces are working tirelessly to rescue as many people as possible.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing as officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage and provide support to affected families.
