India, Aug. 14 -- At least 10 people are feared dead after a massive cloudburst devastated Chosoti, a remote village on the route to the sacred Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar district, officials confirmed on Thursday. The tragedy struck the last motorable point before the shrine, halting the annual pilgrimage mid-way and plunging the region into grief.

According to officials, torrential rains triggered the sudden disaster, sweeping away structures and leaving several people trapped or missing. In the wake of the incident, authorities immediately suspended the Machail Mata Yatra and deployed all available resources for rescue and relief operations.

A team led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Paddar reached the affected site within ho...