SRINAGAR: The anguish continues for families of 32 people who remain missing and are presumed dead following the devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar district on August 14 that claimed nearly 100 lives during the Machail Mata yatra.
The disaster struck at Chositi village, the last motorable point on the pilgrimage route, where hundreds of devotees had gathered when a sudden surge of water and debris rushed down from the adjoining hills, sweeping people away. Rescue teams later recovered 66 bodies after days of intensive efforts, while 137 others were injured in the tragedy.
Officials at the site said that scattered body parts were recovered and sent for DNA profiling as they could not be immediately identified. “The process to declare the 32 missing persons dead has been initiated,” said Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma, adding that compensation will be granted only after the issuance of death certificates. However, he noted that the results of DNA tests on the recovered remains are still awaited.
Multiple agencies, including the Army, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), district administration and several NGOs, carried out extensive search operations in the days following the tragedy. Teams scoured vast stretches of the Chenab River, but no additional bodies have been found.
The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall, with the Meteorological Department having issued repeated warnings about severe weather conditions in the region. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has since faced strong criticism for allowing the yatra to continue despite the alerts.
The cloudburst struck an area where a community meal (langar) was underway, leaving behind scenes of devastation as tents, vehicles and devotees — including women and children — were swept away in the torrent.
As the wait for closure drags on, the families of the missing continue to hold out hope, even as the administration moves to officially declare their loved one’s dead.
