A massive cloudburst in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region on Thursday has triggered a flash flood and landslides leading to the deaths of at least 23 people and injuries of more than 40.

This is according to officials and news reports.

The rainstorm hit the remote village of Chositi in the Kishtwar district, where people had gathered for an annual pilgrimage to a remote Hindu temple.

The village is the last motorable stop on the way to the Machail Mata shrine.

The pilgrimage has been suspended, and the authorities are focusing on rescue operations, Pankaj Sharma, deputy commissioner of the Kishtwar district said.

Local government sources said that the toll could rise with more people feared trapped in the debris or washed away.

Federal minister and lawmaker from the region, Jitendra Singh, wrote on X.

“A massive cloud burst in the Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualties.”

The inclement weather and the remoteness of the disaster site were complicating the rescue operations.

Units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the army were on their way to the site, the NDTV news channel reported.

Footage from Chositi showed gushing water, damaged homes and vehicles, and debris of mud and rock.

The flood waters had washed away temporary tent kitchens set up for the pilgrims, NDTV reported. India’s seasonal monsoon rains from June to September were crucial for farmers but often left a trail of death and destruction.

(dpa/NAN)