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2025 Kishtwar district flash flood

2025 Kishtwar district flash flood
Date14 August 2025 (2025-08-14)
Time11:30 (IST)
LocationChositi village, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
TypeFlash flood
CauseCloudburst
Deaths67+
Non-fatal injuries300+
Missing71+

On 14 August 2025, a flash flood occurred in Chositi (also spelled Chashoti),[1] a village in the Kishtwar district of India-administered Jammu and Kashmir, as the result of a cloudburst. The incident caused at least 67 deaths, 300 injuries, and left around 200 people missing.[2] In addition to residents, pilgrims on the Machail Mata Yatra pilgrimage route were also impacted.

Background

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Chositi is located in a remote region in Kishtwar district. It is the last village accessible to motor vehicles on the Machail Mata Yatra pilgrimage route, which ends at the Machail Mata temple about 8 kilometers (5 miles) away. The pilgrimage had begun on 26 July, and was scheduled to end on 5 September.[1][3]

Incident

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On 14 August 2025, a cloudburst struck Chositi, triggering flash floods along the Machail Mata Yatra route[4] at about 11:30 a.m. local time.[1] At least 1,200 people were at the spot when the cloudburst occurred.[5]

The floods buried some houses in mud and swept away others. A community kitchen for the pilgrims, which had about 200 people present at the time of the floods, was also swept away.[3] A security camp and multiple vehicles at a bus stop were also washed away.[6] Over 500 people are believed to have been trapped.[7]

The cloudburst generated flash floods that reached areas downstream, where at least seven bodies were recovered far from the main site.[8]

Casualties

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Official figures confirmed 65 fatalities, including two personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).[2][9][10][11] As of August 15, 21 bodies have been recovered and identified.[6] At least 300 people were rescued and transported to hospitals, including 50 with severe injuries, and more than 200 remained missing.[12][13][14] Local NGO Ababeel reported that its teams were among the first responders on the ground, providing ambulances and medical support.[15]

Response

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Rescue operations were launched by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, the Indian Army, and volunteers. More than 30 ambulances, including those from Ababeel (NGO), were deployed to evacuate and treat the injured.[16] The Air Force has helicopters on standby in Udhampur for rescue operations, but has been hindered by continued cloudy weather.[17]

Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the administration had "immediately swung into action" and that damage assessment and medical arrangements were underway.[18] Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha monitored relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured "every possible assistance" to those affected via a post on X.[19]

Impacts

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The Jammu and Kashmir administration cancelled all cultural programmes for the 15 August Independence Day celebrations. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also cancelled the traditional "At Home" tea party scheduled for the evening, while formal events such as the speech and march past were held as planned.[20]

The Machail Mata pilgrimage was suspended in the aftermaths of the floods.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Flash flood in Indian Kashmir leaves dozens dead and at least 200 missing". The Guardian. Reuters. 14 August 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Kishtwar cloudburst death toll climbs to 65, large-scale rescue operations on". Kashmir Patriot. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Hussain, Aijaz (14 August 2025). "Torrential rains trigger flash floods in Kashmir, killing at least 56 and leaving scores missing". AP News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  4. ^ Dhar, Aniruddha (14 August 2025). "Kishtwar cloudburst updates: 23 feared dead as disaster hits village en route to Machail Mata temple in J&K". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Kishtwar cloudburst live: Over 1000 people were at spot, death toll very high, says BJP MLA". India Today. 14 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Kishtwar cloudburst: Videos show moment flash floods struck area; belongings scattered in aftermath - watch". The Times Of India. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  7. ^ "60 Killed, 500 Feared Trapped After Cloudburst In J&K's Kishtwar". NDTV. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. ^ Sharma, Arun (14 August 2025). "Kishtwar cloudburst toll rises to 38, more than 100 injured as Machail Mata pilgrimage turns tragic". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  9. ^ "At least 56 dead and dozens missing after flash flooding in Indian Himalayas". Sky News. 14 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  10. ^ Kishtwar Cloudburst: Death Toll Rises To 55, Rescue Operations Continue, 14 August 2025, retrieved 14 August 2025
  11. ^ "Massive cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar triggers flash floods; at least 38 killed". Moneycontrol. 14 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Dozens killed, more than 200 missing after flash floods in Kashmir". France 24. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Jammu And Kashmir Cloudburst Highlights: Rescue Ops On As 46 Killed In Kishtwar, Chief Minister Cancels Independence Day Cultural Events". NDTV. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Pilgrimage Route Hit as Flash Flood Kills Dozens in Kashmir". The New York Times. 14 August 2025. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  15. ^ The Hindu Bureau (14 August 2025). "Cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar: At least 30 dead; more than 100 missing". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Massive cloudburst in J&K's Chositi triggers flash flood, 'substantial casualty' expected, says Union Minister". Mint. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  17. ^ "65 and counting: Why assessing toll of Kishtwar cloudburst is proving difficult". The Indian Express. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Massive cloudburst hits Kishtwar in Jammu & Kashmir; at least 38 feared dead". @mathrubhumi. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  19. ^ Jaiswal, Arushi (14 August 2025). "Kishtwar cloudburst: PM Modi, Shah assure support as death count rises to 38 in Chositi, rescue ops ongoing". India TV News. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Cultural Events Cancelled For Independence Day In J&K After Kishtwar Cloudburst". The Chenab Times. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.