Tragic Incident
A massive cloudburst struck Chositi village in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, around 12:25 PM on Thursday, resulting in 46 deaths, including two CISF personnel. The deluge also injured 167 people, with 69 reported missing, and caused extensive damage to houses, government buildings, temples, a 30-metre bridge, water mills, and vehicles. The flash flood devastated a makeshift market and a community kitchen for the Machail Mata pilgrimage, as well as a security outpost.
Health Response and Reinforcements
The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has mobilized critical healthcare infrastructure:
- GMC-Jammu: 50 disaster beds, 20 ventilator beds, 5 operating theatres; specialist teams including orthopaedicians, neurosurgeons, critical care anaesthetists, and maxillofacial consultants are on standby; blood bank stocked with 200+ units.
- Sub-district hospital near the site: reinforced with 13 doctors and 31 paramedics.
- District hospital Kishtwar: augmented with general and orthopaedic surgeons, and anaesthetists from GMC-Doda.
- GMC-Doda: specialists ready to manage referred patients.
- PGIMER Chandigarh: dispatched critical care specialists and neurosurgeons to GMC-Jammu to further strengthen critical care capabilities.
Rescue Operations
A total of 65 ambulances were deployed, sourced from the health department, NHPC, Army, CRPF, and 108 Emergency Service, ensuring rapid rescue and patient transfer. Senior health officers are stationed at Padder, overseeing rescue and medical operations.
