JAMMU, August 17, 2025 – A series of catastrophic cloudbursts and flash floods have struck Kishtwar and Kathua districts in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming numerous lives and causing widespread destruction. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo provided updates on the ongoing crisis, detailing the devastating impact and the extensive rescue operations underway.
Kishtwar Cloudburst: 61 Dead, 116 Rescued
In Kishtwar, a massive cloudburst on August 14 triggered flash floods and landslides in Chasoti village, a key stop on the Machail Mata Yatra route. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reported that 61 people have lost their lives, with 116 individuals rescued through coordinated efforts by security forces, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police, CRPF, CISF, and local volunteers. The disaster, which occurred around noon, swept away homes, a security outpost, and a community kitchen, leaving over 70 people missing.
The Machail Mata Yatra, an annual pilgrimage, has been suspended, and rescue operations continue amidst challenging weather conditions, with the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps and other agencies deploying heavy equipment and dog squads to locate survivors.
Kathua Cloudburst: Seven Dead, Six Injured
In Kathua, another cloudburst struck Jodh Ghati and Janglote in the Rajbagh area during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, causing flash floods and landslides. Chief Secretary Dulloo confirmed that seven people, including five children, lost their lives, with six others injured and admitted to hospitals.
The floods inundated the Janglote industrial area, a Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, and Kathua police station, while damaging roads, railway tracks, and properties. Rescue operations involving SDRF, police, and local volunteers are ongoing, with the Indian Army on standby. The Ujh river is flowing near the danger mark, prompting authorities to issue warnings to avoid water bodies.
Official Response and Relief Efforts
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo visited Chasoti village in Kishtwar to oversee rescue and relief operations, engaging with NDRF, SDRF, and security forces to ensure comprehensive support. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief and directed intensified relief measures, while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the situation, securing assurances of central assistance. Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized continuous monitoring and coordination with local authorities. The district administration has issued advisories urging residents to avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone areas, citing the risk of further flash floods.
Widespread Damage and Ongoing Challenges
The cloudbursts have caused extensive damage, with 16 houses, government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a bridge, and over a dozen vehicles destroyed in Kathua alone. In Kishtwar, the disaster flattened a makeshift market and other infrastructure, complicating rescue efforts due to blocked roads and ongoing rain. The Jammu–Pathankot National Highway also suffered damage, disrupting connectivity.As rescue operations persist, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant, with the Indian Meteorological Department noting that a cloudburst involves rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour, contributing to the severity of these events. The region remains on high alert as it grapples with the aftermath of these twin tragedies.
