At Least 12 Killed As Devastating Cloudburst Hits Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar
Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir: A massive cloudburst has struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, located on the Machail Mata Yatra route, a significant pilgrimage in the Jammu region. The cloudburst hit Chishoti village, and at least12 bodies have been recovered so far, as per a report by news agency PTI. Official suspect that the death toll could rise further as rescue operation is ongoing.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that a rescue team has been dispatched to the site. Speaking about the incident, the minister said he spoke to DC Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. He said the disaster could result in substantial casualties.
“Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made. My office receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided,” the minister wrote in a social media post.
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.
Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into…
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 14, 2025
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Chasoti is at an altitude of 9,500 ft and about 90 km from Kishtwar. A ‘langar’ set up for devotees bore the brunt of the cloudburst, leading to the flash floods.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said he spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and updated him about the situation. In a social media post, the chief minister called the disaster The news is grim & accurate, and the verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst 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,” Oma Abdullah wrote on X.
