On August 14, 2025, a devastating cloudburst struck Chishoti village in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, causing flash floods that disrupted connectivity and resulted in 38–60 deaths, over 100 injuries, and hundreds missing. The Indian Army, under White Knight Corps, constructed a temporary bridge over Chishoti Nala to restore movement for residents and Machail Mata Yatra pilgrims, facilitating humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Over 300 personnel, including 17 Rashtriya Rifles, collaborated with NDRF, SDRF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and local administration to provide medical aid, food, and shelter.
The floods destroyed a 30-meter bridge, 16 houses, three temples, four water mills, and a community kitchen, complicating rescue efforts in the rugged Himalayan terrain.Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed intensified rescue and relief operations, coordinating with the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration. He briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured full support, with the Air Force on standby for evacuation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah canceled Independence Day cultural events to focus on the crisis.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar warned of continued heavy rainfall, raising concerns about further flash floods or landslides, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to climate change.Amid the crisis, the collaboration between ICRISAT and SKUAST-Kashmir, supported by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, and ICRISAT experts Dr. Stanford Blade, Dr. Damaris A. Odeny, and Dr. Manzoor A. Dar, gains significance. Their work focuses on climate-resilient agriculture, promoting climate-smart crops, water-use efficiency, crop diversification, and data-driven farming to enhance farmer resilience and food security in Jammu and Kashmir’s Himalayan agriculture.
