Kashmir flash floods kill at least 60

At least 60 people were killed and dozens remain missing after flash floods hit a village on a Hindu pilgrimage route in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Grief and chaos after flash floods in Kashmir

A remote village in the Kishtwar district of Indian-administered Kashmir was hit by flash floods that left at least 60 people dead and dozens missing. Officials said the floods, likely caused by a cloudburst, damaged homes and uprooted trees along the route to the Machail Mata shrine and injured more than 100 people. The site, Chositi village, is the last point accessible by vehicle for pilgrims heading to the shrine, complicating evacuation and medical aid.

Survivors are being treated at a district hospital in Kishtwar as rescue teams push through mud and debris to reach others who may be trapped. Putul Devi, among the injured, described the moment they completed the darshan and then faced a blast-like sound followed by chaos as family members disappeared.

This disaster exposes how vulnerable remote pilgrimage routes are to extreme weather. Mountain roads can turn into quagmires, and limited local medical facilities challenge rapid care. The incident underscores the need for better weather alerts and faster evacuation plans in hard-to-reach areas. Beyond the immediate rescue, how relief is coordinated and perceived will shape public trust in authorities. Clear information about the causes, the status of missing people, and the distribution of aid will matter as communities begin to recover.

Highlights

As the emergency response unfolds, the human cost and the questions about preparedness will linger.