Heavy rains triggered a powerful cloudburst in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on August 14, unleashing flash floods and landslides that have killed at least 56 people and left around 80 others missing. The sudden torrent swept through the village of Chositi, destroying homes, washing away vehicles, and obliterating sections of a community kitchen that had been serving about 200 Hindu pilgrims in the area. Entire stretches of road have been damaged or submerged, complicating relief efforts.
Authorities say the disaster struck with little warning, giving residents and pilgrims only minutes to react. Survivors described the roar of water and debris crashing down the mountainside as “like an explosion,” with people trapped almost instantly. Rescue operations—led by local officials, the Indian army, and disaster response teams—have evacuated more than 300 people to safer areas. However, ongoing rain and the threat of further landslides forced crews to pause search efforts overnight, with operations expected to resume as weather conditions allow.
The region’s mountainous terrain is particularly vulnerable to such events, and climate experts note that extreme cloudbursts—where more than 100 millimeters of rain can fall in an hour—are becoming more frequent due to changing weather patterns. Unchecked construction in fragile hill zones has further heightened the risk of catastrophic flooding. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and promised full government support for rescue and recovery, including aid for rebuilding homes and infrastructure once the immediate crisis is under control.
