Jammu and Kashmir cloudburst LIVE UPDATES: 37 persons, mostly pilgrims, killed; over 100 injured
Kishtwar District Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma confirmed that the death toll has risen to 37, with over 100 persons injured. He added that the number of casualties may increase as more bodies could be recovered.
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 cloud burst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 14, 2025
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…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 14, 2025
A devastating cloudburst in Chosoti village of Kishtwar district has claimed the lives of 33 persons so far, including two CISF personnel. More than 200 persons are reported missing, while around 100 have been injured. Of the injured, 37 are in critical condition and have been admitted to the district hospital in Kishtwar. Meanwhile, around 70 to 80 others are undergoing treatment at the sub-district hospital in Paddar.
The deal toll has mounted to 33
#WATCH | Jammu | On flash flood in the Chashoti area in Kishtwar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar says, "At around 11.30 am in the morning, we received information that a cloudburst occurred in the Chashoti area in Kishtwar. SRDF, local police and administration… pic.twitter.com/jiuaO4rdA0
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
On flash flood in Chashoti area in Kishtwar, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah says, "This is a very unfortunate incident. Cloudbursts have become like a routine in our mountain areas. You saw this in Uttarakhand, you saw the damage there. It happened in Ramban last year. This time, it happened on the route of Machail Mata Yatra. Lakhs of people undertake this Yatra...We hope that IAF helicopters are able to go there and retrieve the injured. Villages and the temple area have suffered damage...Rescue operation is underway...We hope that the death toll is not very high..."
#WATCH | Srinagar: On flash flood in Chashoti area in Kishtwar, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah says, "This is a very unfortunate incident. Cloudbursts have become like a routine in our mountain areas. You saw this in Uttarakhand, you saw the damage there. It happened in Ramban last… pic.twitter.com/TAujuGWjDH
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who was on duty for the yatra was among the dead. Three other CISF jawans are missing.
Several helicopters have been deployed in the area as rescue teams carry out search operation. According to the officials, the cloudbusrt hit area falls under remote category that lacks transportation and is not likely accessible.
River in Mendhar in spate due to heavy incessant rainfall in Poonch. River overflows and floods the road.
#WATCH | J&K: River in Mendhar in spate due to heavy incessant rainfall in Poonch. River overflows and floods the road.
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
Administration alerts people about the situation. pic.twitter.com/3fqYGbsQeS
Nearly 180 members of the two NDRF teams equipped with modern gadgets were rushed from its Udhampur base: NDRF
Flash floods occurred at the Chashoti area in Kishtwar following a cloud burst. Rescue Operations underway.
#WATCH | J&K | A flash flood has occurred at the Chashoti area in Kishtwar following a cloud burst. Rescue Operations have been started. pic.twitter.com/MKj5DQwrKK
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
The annual Machail Mata yatra has been suspended following the incident as authorities mobilised all resources and are heading to the scene to conduct a massive rescue and relief operation, the officials said.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued an alert indicating moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by brief intense showers, thunder, lightning, and gusty winds across many parts of Jammu & Kashmir over the next 4–6 hours.
PTC News Desk: A massive cloudburst was reported in Jammu and Kashmir's Chositi on Thursday triggering a wave of flashfloods, prompting rescue team and emergency services to rush to the spot, officials said.
In a post on X, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said: "Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma."
#WATCH | Delhi | On flash flood Chashoti area in Kishtwar, Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh says, "I got a call from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma about a massive cloudburst in the area which he represents. It also happens to be the route of the popular Machail Mata Yatra… pic.twitter.com/zanxF3w9Wn — ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
"A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha said he was anguished by the cloudburst and added, "Condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured." He further directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF, and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to those affected.
- PTC NEWS
