Kishtwar: A devastating cloudburst struck Chosoti village in Kishtwar district during the ongoing Machail Mata Yatra, leaving at least 67 pilgrims dead, over 100 injured, and more than 100 still missing. Rescue operations are continuing to trace the missing pilgrims.
Immediately after the incident, a call was received at the 108 control room from Area Operation Manager Viqar Lone and EMT Sunil Kumar, who was already on yatra duty at Chosoti along with Pilot Arif Rashid. A 108 ambulance, deployed at the site for first aid, provided the first response and began evacuating the injured.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, 14 ambulances from nearby districts Kishtwar and Doda were instantly mobilized to shift the injured to Sub-District Hospital Paddar. Despite roads being blocked near Jusniya Nallah due to flooding, injured pilgrims were carried across the blocked stretch, transferred to other ambulances, and safely transported to hospital.
On the directions of the Mission Director, NHM, further reinforcements were dispatched — 18 ambulances from Kashmir division, 7 from Udhampur and Ramban, 4 from Jammu, and 2 from Samba — taking the total to 47 ambulances of 108 JKEMS pressed into service for rescue operations.
Through these efforts, 77 patients were given emergency care and shifted to hospitals, while 31 critically injured pilgrims were referred to GMC Jammu for advanced treatment. More than 67 deceased pilgrims were also transported to their respective homes by 108 ambulances.
Project Head, 108 Ambulance Services, Mushtaq Ahmed, applauded the courage and dedication of EMTs and pilots who worked round-the-clock during the calamity. He made special mention of Pilot Arif Rashid and EMT Sunil Kumar, who risked their lives while saving many pilgrims, and praised Area Manager Kishtwar, Viqar Lone, for his coordination with the district administration to ensure swift evacuation.
“108 Ambulance teams stood as a lifeline for pilgrims during one of the worst natural tragedies in the region,” Ahmed said.
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