Cloudburst or glacial lake outburst: J&K govt. yet to identify what caused Kishtwar nature’s fury

One week on, the Jammu and Kashmir government remained inconclusive about what triggered nature’s fury in Kishtwar that left 65 civilians dead on August 14 and 33 others missing in Chashoti village.

Officials in the disaster management department are still in the process of ascertaining the cause that led to unprecedented devastation of villages and disrupted the Machail Mata temple yatra in the upper reaches of Kishtwar. Officials have not been able to identify if the devastation was triggered by a cloudburst or a glacial lake outburst.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who chaired a meeting to review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures, also underlined that the real cause was still unknown.

“Whether it was a cloudburst or a glacial lake outburst, the fact remains that this tragedy struck at the busiest time of the year in Chashoti village. Had it occurred at any other time, the impact might have been less severe. These are lessons we must take forward,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The Jammu and Kashmir government is pushing for long-term strategies to safeguard vulnerable areas from recurring natural calamities. “The Meteorological department had issued warnings, including advisories against unnecessary travel, which underscores the importance of adopting clear SOPs and guidelines for highly vulnerable regions,” Mr. Abdullah said.

He said the medium- and long-term measures must include a holistic assessment of vulnerable areas by experts, protection of agricultural lands, discouraging habitation along flood-prone nallahs and creation of preventive mechanisms. 

The Omar Abdullah government was still grappling to trace the missing civilians. “Unfortunately, with 33 people still missing, it is safe to presume we may not find any of them alive. Our priority now is to retrieve bodies to hand them over to their families. Equally important is to rehabilitate those whose homes and livelihoods have been devastated,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Of 65 people who lost their lives, 62 bodies were identified and handed over to the families. Sixty-six persons were also rescued.

Meanwhile, under the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Principal Secretary, Roads and Buildings (R&B) and Mining Department, Anil Kumar Singh, on Thursday conducted an on-ground review of the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Chashoti village.

The Chashoti Bridge, which was under construction and nearing completion before it was washed away, was also discussed, with the provision of a Bailey bridge under consideration. 

Officials also reviewed the proposal for the Jasnie Nallah and Hako Nallah bridges, “which will be taken up following the completion of ongoing rescue and relief operations”.