August 15, 2025
JAMMU – At least 50 people, most of them pilgrims, including women and children, are feared killed and more than 150 injured on Thursday when two cloudbursts hit the Chosoti village of Paddar in the Kishtwar district. About 30 bodies have been recovered so far, officials said.
Several people are still missing and many are buried under the debris. A massive search operation by the Army, NDRF, J&K Police, CRPF and SDRF is on to locate the missing persons. The figure of fatalities is likely to further increase.
Two security forces personnel on the Machail Mata Yatra duty were also among those killed.
About 100 injured people, including 62 women, have been shifted to various hospitals in the area.
Many devotees of Machail Mata having breakfast in a community kitchen were reportedly washed away in the flash flood caused due to cloudburst, reports said. The Machail Mata Yatra began on 25 July and will conclude on 5 September. The yatra has been suspended due to the tragedy.
The Kishtwar police has asked families and relatives of missing persons to report to the control room. Help desks have been established by the police at many places.
Rescue work was affected by another cloudburst about 5 kms before the Chosoti village washed away the road. Several residential houses, shops and vehicles were badly damaged.
Troops of the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army were engaged in the rescue operations. Two NDRF teams were also rushed to the spot.
“Efforts are centred on safeguarding lives and aiding survivors. Search for missing people continues. Relief stores, medical teams & rescue gear rushed to site”, said the Indian Army.
Looking at the large extent of losses, the district administration has summoned ambulances from the neighbouring districts to carry the injured to hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the incident. He wrote on X, “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need”.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is monitoring the situation, wrote on X, “Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also expressed grief over the tragedy.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of the injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected”.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also extended condolences to the bereaved families. He wrote on X; “I just spoke to the Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloudburst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible”.
He cancelled his At Home after Independence Day parade tomorrow in view of the tragedy in Kishtwar.
Expressing grief over the mishap, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of the injured.”
“Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected”.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also extended condolences to the bereaved families. He wrote on X; “I just spoke to the Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloudburst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible”.
He cancelled his At Home after Independence Day parade tomorrow in view of the tragedy in Kishtwar.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, in whose parliamentary constituency the affected area falls, wrote on X; “Massive cloudburst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, and the rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made”, he said.
The Minister will visit the spot on Friday if the weather permits.
Ruling National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have also expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Meanwhile, Multiple cloudbursts and flash floods in different parts of Ladakh, including the villages housing the major Buddhist monasteries – Lamayuru and Bodhkharbu – have caused extensive damage to roads, private property and other infrastructure. No loss of life has so far been reported.
Several tourists were stranded as the roads were badly damaged.
The Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army has rescued 21 stranded tourists, including women, at Lamayuru and provided necessary assistance at the nearest Army Ammunition Unit. Timely provision of shelter, food and medical care has been commended by the tourists.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta has expressed concern over these incidents of cloudbursts. He wrote on X; “Deeply concerned over incidents of cloudbursts at Bodhkharbu, Hinaskote and Lamayuru & flash floods in various parts of Ladakh, causing damage to infrastructure, irrigation channels & crops. No loss of human life, livestock or homes reported. Commend the swift response of district officials in restoring connectivity, particularly the Khows link road by 2 AM, using heavy machinery, and ensuring essential services. Administration is on high alert & relief measures are underway.”