Srinagar: Two CISF jawans are among 40 people to have died after a massive cloudburst struck Chositi village in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar on Thursday, triggering flash floods.
More than 120 people have been injured and over 220 are missing as large-scale rescue operations are underway to trace survivors and evacuate those who are trapped.
The number of casualties are likely to rise. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the incident in Chositi, near the shrine, “could result in substantial casualties.”
There has been large-scale destruction, as is evident from video clips shared on social media.
#WATCH | J&K | A flash flood has occurred at the Chashoti area in Kishtwar following a cloud burst. Rescue Operations have been initiated.
Latest visuals from the area, showing the extent of damage. pic.twitter.com/pCsgP0GZq2
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
Earlier today, a sudden cloudburst triggered a flash flood in Chashoti, Padder, Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, india.
At least 12 bodies have been recovered, while many remain missing. Rescue operations are ongoing amid challenging weather and terrain conditions. pic.twitter.com/Q7czONisKQ
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) August 14, 2025
#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 scale of disaster turned out to be severe as the flash flood struck along the route of the Machail Mata Yatra to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence and assured full support. “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,” Modi stated.
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation in the Kishtwar region. He said that confirmed information from the cloudburst-hit area was slow to come in, but “all possible resources are being mobilised from within and beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations.”
Nine days ago, 5 people were killed and dozens are still missing after flash flood hit Dharali village, in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi.
