The death count in Kishtwar has increased to 46 after a massive cloudburst caused a flash flood in the Chashoti village this afternoon.

As night fell over, authorities rescued at least 167 people from the spot. Of these, 38 are in a serious condition, officials said. 

Chashoti is about 90 kilometres from Kishtwar. A 'langar' (community kitchen) packed with devotees bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flash floods and washed away several structures, including shops and a security outpost.

The Congress expressed pain over the loss of lives in the cloudburst in Kishtwar and urged the authorities to expedite relief and rescue operations there.

"The news of several deaths and many people missing due to the devastation caused by a cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu-Kashmir, is extremely tragic," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.

He also expressed his condolences to the affected families and hoped that those missing are recovered soon.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said he was extremely pained by the loss of several lives in the tragedy.

"My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and I express my deepest sympathies to each of them. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and with those who are searching their missing family members," he said.

"I urge the authorities to engage more NDRF and Armed Forces teams for better relief and rehabilitation efforts," Mr Kharge added. 

President Droupadi Murmu said the loss of lives due to a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir is extremely tragic and prayed for the success of relief and rescue operations.

"The news of several deaths due to a cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu-Kashmir, is extremely tragic. I express my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and pray for the success of relief and rescue operations," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.

The Kishtwar District Police released helpline numbers for families of people reported missing in Chashoti village. Contact the following numbers to report or seek assistance:

District Control Room: 01995-259555, 9484217492  

PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100, 9103454100, 01995-259193, 100

In view of the tragedy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cancelled the cultural events planned for Independence Day celebrations as well as his "At Home" tea party in the evening. 
"In light of the tragedy caused by the cloud burst in Kishtwar I have taken the decision to cancel the "At Home" tea party tomorrow evening. We have also decided not to go ahead with the cultural events during the morning Independence Day celebrations. The formal events - speech, march past etc will go ahead as planned," the chief minister said in a post on X. 

At least 38 people, including two CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel, have been killed and 100 injured after a massive cloudburst caused a flash flood in the Chashoti village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district this afternoon. The Army has also joined the rescue efforts and visuals showed people being evacuated. 

According to officials from the police control room in Kishtwar, 38 bodies have been recovered, and there are fears that the death count could rise.

Relief stores, medical teams and rescue gear have been rushed to the site, news agency PTI quoted the Army as saying. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst in Kishtwar district and asserted that every possible assistance will be provided to those in need.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway." 

"Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need," the prime minister said. 

The J&K administration set up a control room-cum-help desk to assist people and pilgrims in Paddar, about 15 km from Chositi village where the disaster struck. 

Five officials have been put on duty for the control room. The numbers provided are: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.

Besides these, the district control room numbers are 01995-259555 and 9484217492, and the police control room number of Kishtwar is 9906154100. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to take stock of the situation after a massive cloudburst in Kishtwar.

Shah also said that the local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations and teams of the National Disaster Response Force have rushed to the site.

"Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site," he wrote on X.

At least 12 people have been killed after a massive cloudburst caused a flash flood in the Chashoti village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district this afternoon. Rescue teams have been rushed to the spot and visuals showed pilgrims being evacuated. 

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar. Mr Abdullah extended condolences to the bereaved families.

"The Chief Minister's office is in touch with the district administration and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken," a post on X (formerly Twitter) read.

The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Jammu & Kashmir cloudburst. "We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the incident," he added.

Cloudbursts happen when warm, moist air quickly rises over mountains, cools down, and turns into heavy rain. This process, called orographic lift, causes the air to release a large amount of rain in a short time.Other factors like the sudden mixing of warm and cold air, strong upward air movement (convection), and high moisture in the air at high altitudes can also lead to cloudbursts.

A cloudburst is an extreme amount of rainfall in a short period, often over a small geographical area. It typically occurs in mountainous regions and can lead to sudden flash floods and landslides.

The term refers not to a literal bursting cloud but to rapid precipitation from cumulonimbus clouds, sometimes accompanied by thunder or hail.

By definition, a cloudburst involves 100 mm (4 inches) or more of rainfall within an hour. That is roughly the amount of rain some cities receive in a month, all in under 60 minutes.

"A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma.

Machail Mata Yatra, which started on July 25 and was meant to continue till September 5, has been suspended following a massive cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti.

At least 10 persons feared dead in cloudburst en route Machail Mata Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, reported news agency PTI.

Sharing the news of the cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that it could lead to substantial causalities.

:Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made.My office receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided," he wrote in a post on X.

Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of injured, a post from the Office of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha read.

The Lieutenant-Governor informed that civil, police, army, and teams of NDRF and SDRF have been directed to strengthen the rescue and relief operations.

A massive cloudburst has been reported from Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti. In the visuals from the ground, people can be seen walking to safer areas.