YushHush at 01:51, 6 January 2026

2026-01-06T01:51:44Z

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{{short description|Cloudburst and flash flood disaster in Jammu and Kashmir, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2025 Kishtwar district flash flood
| image =
| caption =
| time = 11:30
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| duration =
| date = {{Start date|2025|08|14|df=yes}}
| location = Chositi village, [[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
| coordinates =
| type = [[Flash flood]]
| cause = [[Cloudburst]]
| reported deaths = 68
| reported injuries = 300+
| reported missing = 36
| reported property damage =
}}

On 14 August 2025, a flash flood occurred in Chositi (also spelled Chashoti),<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=Flash flood in Indian Kashmir leaves dozens dead and at least 200 missing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/14/kashmir-india-heavy-rain-people-dead-missing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250814140240/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/14/kashmir-india-heavy-rain-people-dead-missing |archive-date=14 Aug 2025 |access-date=14 August 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |agency=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> a village in the [[Kishtwar district]] of India-administered [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], as the result of a [[cloudburst]]. The incident caused 68 deaths, 300 injuries, and left at least 38 people missing.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Even the wind scares us: Kishtwar cloudburst survivors in J&K demand relocation|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Aug/22/even-the-wind-scares-us-kishtwar-cloudburst-survivors-in-jk-demand-relocation|date=August 22, 2025|access-date=September 10, 2025|publisher=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> In addition to residents, pilgrims on the [[Machail Mata|Machail Mata Yatra]] pilgrimage route were also impacted.

== Background ==
Chositi is located in a remote region in Kishtwar district. It is the last village accessible to motor vehicles on the [[Machail Mata|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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Aijaz |date=14 August 2025 |title=Torrential rains trigger flash floods in Kashmir, killing at least 56 and leaving scores missing |url=https://apnews.com/article/kashmir-india-cloudburst-flash-floods-14e57a1e588c405b1836e343b421a97e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250815125055/https://apnews.com/article/kashmir-india-cloudburst-flash-floods-14e57a1e588c405b1836e343b421a97e |archive-date=15 Aug 2025 |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=[[Associated Press|AP News]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Incident==
On 14 August 2025, a cloudburst struck Chositi, triggering flash floods along the Machail Mata Yatra route<ref name="t053">{{cite web | last=Dhar | first=Aniruddha | title=Kishtwar cloudburst updates: 23 feared dead as disaster hits village en route to Machail Mata temple in J&K | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=14 August 2025 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cloudburst-hits-kishtwar-s-chishoti-on-machail-mata-yatra-route-casualties-feared-101755157455420.html | access-date=14 August 2025 | archive-date=15 August 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815012339/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cloudburst-hits-kishtwar-s-chishoti-on-machail-mata-yatra-route-casualties-feared-101755157455420.html | url-status=live }}</ref> at about 11:30 a.m. local time.<ref name=":0" /> At least 1,200 people were at the spot when the cloudburst occurred.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=Kishtwar cloudburst live: Over 1000 people were at spot, death toll very high, says BJP MLA |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-and-kashmir-kishtwar-cloudburst-live-updates-many-feared-dead-road-washed-away-2771227-2025-08-14 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250815125454/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-and-kashmir-kishtwar-cloudburst-live-updates-many-feared-dead-road-washed-away-2771227-2025-08-14 |archive-date=15 Aug 2025 |access-date=14 August 2025 |publisher=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":1"></ref> A security camp and multiple vehicles at a bus stop were also washed away.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite news |date=August 15, 2025 |title=Kishtwar cloudburst: Videos show moment flash floods struck area; belongings scattered in aftermath - watch |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kishtwar-cloudburst-videos-show-moment-flash-floods-struck-area-belongings-scattered-in-aftermath-watch/articleshow/123320551.cms |access-date=August 15, 2025 |publisher=[[The Times Of India]]}}</ref> Over 500 people are believed to have been trapped.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 15, 2025 |title=60 Killed, 500 Feared Trapped After Cloudburst In J&K's Kishtwar |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/60-killed-500-feared-trapped-after-cloudburst-in-j-ks-kishtwar-9090951 |access-date=August 15, 2025 |publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>

The cloudburst generated flash floods that reached areas downstream, where at least seven bodies were recovered far from the main site.<ref name="c596">{{cite web |last=Sharma |first=Arun |date=14 August 2025 |title=Kishtwar cloudburst toll rises to 38, more than 100 injured as Machail Mata pilgrimage turns tragic |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cloudburst-jk-chositi-casualties-feared-10188760/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250815130013/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cloudburst-jk-chositi-casualties-feared-10188760/ |archive-date=15 Aug 2025 |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

==Casualties==
An [[National Disaster Response Force]] official confirmed 68 fatalities, including two personnel from the [[Central Industrial Security Force]] (CISF), and 38 missing person reports.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=At least 56 dead and dozens missing after flash flooding in Indian Himalayas |url=https://news.sky.com/story/at-least-44-dead-and-dozens-missing-after-flash-flooding-in-indian-himalayas-13411661 |access-date=14 August 2025 |publisher=[[Sky News]] |archive-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815011003/https://news.sky.com/story/at-least-44-dead-and-dozens-missing-after-flash-flooding-in-indian-himalayas-13411661 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p525">{{citation | title=Kishtwar Cloudburst: Death Toll Rises To 55, Rescue Operations Continue | date=14 August 2025 | url=https://thechenabtimes.com/2025/08/14/kishtwar-cloudburst-death-toll-rises-to-55-rescue-operations-continue/ | language=en-US | access-date=14 August 2025 | page=}}</ref><ref name="m086">{{cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=Massive cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar triggers flash floods; at least 38 killed |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/cloudburst-in-j-k-s-kishtwar-triggers-flash-floods-casualties-feared-13456267.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250815130644/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/cloudburst-in-j-k-s-kishtwar-triggers-flash-floods-casualties-feared-13456267.html |archive-date=15 Aug 2025 |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref> As of August 15, 21 bodies have been identified.<ref name="TOI" /> At least 300 people were rescued and transported to hospitals, including 50 with severe injuries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=Dozens killed, more than 200 missing after flash floods in Kashmir |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250814-flood-kills-37-in-indian-kashmir-mountain-village |access-date=14 August 2025 |publisher=[[France 24]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=Jammu And Kashmir Cloudburst Highlights: Rescue Ops On As 46 Killed In Kishtwar, Chief Minister Cancels Independence Day Cultural Events |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-cloudburst-live-updates-massive-cloudburst-in-j-ks-chashoti-rescue-ops-underway-9083642 |access-date=14 August 2025 |publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=Pilgrimage Route Hit as Flash Flood Kills Dozens in Kashmir |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/world/asia/kashmir-flash-flood.html |access-date=14 August 2025 |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=14 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814202217/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/14/world/asia/kashmir-flash-flood.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Local NGO Ababeel reported that its teams were among the first responders on the ground, providing ambulances and medical support.<ref name="e938">{{cite web | author=[[The Hindu]] Bureau | title=Cloudburst in J&K's Kishtwar: At least 30 dead; more than 100 missing | website=[[The Hindu]] | date=14 August 2025 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-kashmir-kishtwar-chasoti-cloudburst-floods-august-14-2025/article69932180.ece | access-date=14 August 2025 | archive-date=15 August 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815010349/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-kashmir-kishtwar-chasoti-cloudburst-floods-august-14-2025/article69932180.ece | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Response==
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.<ref name="f109">{{cite web | title=Massive cloudburst in J&K's Chositi triggers flash flood, 'substantial casualty' expected, says Union Minister | website=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] | date=14 August 2025 | url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/massive-cloudburst-in-j-ks-chositi-trigger-flash-flood-substantial-casualty-expected-says-union-minister-11755158798940.html | access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> The Air Force has helicopters on standby in [[Udhampur]] for rescue operations, but has been hindered by continued cloudy weather.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=65 and counting: Why assessing toll of Kishtwar cloudburst is proving difficult |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/65-and-counting-why-assessing-toll-of-kishtwar-cloudburst-is-proving-difficult-10191167/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Union Minister [[Jitendra Singh (Rajasthan politician)|Jitendra Singh]] stated that the administration had "immediately swung into action" and that damage assessment and medical arrangements were underway.<ref name="j411">{{cite web | title=Massive cloudburst hits Kishtwar in Jammu & Kashmir; at least 38 feared dead | website=@mathrubhumi | date=14 August 2025 | url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/massive-cloudburst-hits-kishtwar-jammu-and-kashmir-nqs2dnsp | access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> 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 (social network)|X]].<ref name="j694">{{cite web | last=Jaiswal | first=Arushi | title=Kishtwar cloudburst: PM Modi, Shah assure support as death count rises to 38 in Chositi, rescue ops ongoing | website=[[India TV|India TV News]] | date=14 August 2025 | url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/jammu-and-kashmir/kishtwar-cloudburst-live-updates-chositi-jammu-and-kashmir-on-machail-matta-yatra-route-death-injured-in-chishoti-search-operation-latest-updates-1003482 | access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref>

By late August 2025, the Air Force, from its Northern Secor, deployed five of its [[Mi-17]] helicopters along with a [[CH-47|Chinook]] and [[C-130J]] transport aircraft each for the [[Relief operations|flood relief operations]] following the [[2025 Uttarakhand flash flood|Uttarakhand]] and Kishtwar district flash floods. The C-130J aircraft boarded by an [[National Disaster Response Force|NDRF]] team reached Jammu to supply rescue materials, supplies and trained personnel. So far, 50 Army personnel, 21 [[Border Security Force|BSF]] personnel and over 40 civilians have been rescued by the fleet from regions including [[Akhnoor]], [[Pathankot]] and [[Dera Baba Nanak]]. Additionally, over 750 kg of relief materials were also air dropped into Pathankot as part of the operation. Additional helicopters and transport aircraft also remained on standby to join the operations if deemed necessary.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Indian Air Force responds swiftly to Jammu and Punjab Floods |date=2025-08-27 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2161332 |access-date=2025-08-31}}</ref>

[[Amit Shah|Union Home Minister Amit Shah]] announced that the Government of India promptly released ₹209 crore as the Central share to [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The allocation enabled immediate relief measures in the aftermath of the flash floods and landslides caused by [[Cloudburst|cloudbursts]] and heavy rains.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Excelsior |first=Daily |date=2025-09-01 |title=Centre allocates Rs 209 cr to J&K for SDRF as Central share, relief work starts: Shah |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/centre-allocates-rs-209-cr-to-jk-for-sdrf-as-central-share-relief-work-starts-shah/ |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=Daily Excelsior |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Impacts==
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.<ref name="g157">{{cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=Cultural Events Cancelled For Independence Day In J&K After Kishtwar Cloudburst |url=https://thechenabtimes.com/2025/08/14/cultural-events-cancelled-for-independence-day-in-jk-after-kishtwar-cloudburst/ |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=The Chenab Times |page= |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Machail Mata pilgrimage was suspended in the aftermaths of the floods.<ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[2025 Uttarakhand flash flood]]
* [[2025 Pakistan floods]], nearby weather event in Pakistan around the same time

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{2025 floods}}
{{Disasters in India in 2025}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kishtwar district flash flood, 2025}}
[[Category:Meteorological events in 2025]]
[[Category:2025 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2025 floods in Asia]]
[[Category:2020s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:August 2025 in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Floods in India]]
[[Category:Kishtwar district|2025 floods]]

2025 Kishtwar district flash flood - Revision history

YushHush at 01:51, 6 January 2026