Indian Rescuers Search for Survivors After Flood Kills at Least 60 in Himalayan Village

Indian rescuers combed through mud and debris on Friday following a devastating flood that swept through Chisoti village in Indian-administered Kashmir, leaving at least 60 dead and dozens more missing.

The torrential waters and mudslides, triggered by intense rainfall, struck on Thursday, destroying homes and displacing residents, including Hindu pilgrims visiting a local shrine.

Officials reported that a large makeshift kitchen, sheltering more than 100 pilgrims, was completely washed away during what Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described as a sudden “cloudburst”.

One survivor, Arun Shah, 35, who had just completed his pilgrimage with his family, recounted the chaos from a hospital in Kishtwar district. “It was horrifying,” he said. “Boulders and a rush of water came down from the mountain. We all got separated while trying to save ourselves.”

Yudhvir Kotwal, head of Kishtwar district hospital, confirmed the scale of the disaster, adding that rescue operations were ongoing as authorities continue to search for survivors.

This marks the second major flooding disaster in India this month, highlighting the growing risks of extreme weather in the Himalayan region.