J&K cloudburst Highlights: Jammu and Kashmir experienced a cloudburst incident on Friday, August 14, in the Chositi area of the valley. According to reports, the UT administration swung into action, and a rescue team left for the site promptly afterwards. As per CM Abdullah’s Independence Day address today, 60 people, including two CISF personnel, have been killed, and over 100 others have been rescued from the rubble and debris. Of the hundreds of rescued, 38 are in a critical condition as per an IANS report.
As per JKNC Chief, Farooq Abdullah, in his recent statement to ANI, more than 500 people are still feared trapped. Addressing the Independence Day celebrations in the UT, he said, “Aansoo bhi theyy aur khushian bhi thi. [There were tears also and happiness too] There were tears because I too was a CM and we still had Article 370 and 35A at that time.”
#WATCH | On #IndependenceDay, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah says, "…Congratulations, but there is sorrow too. I think in Kishtwar, more than 500 people are still trapped under the debris…"
On Independence Day celebrations in the UT, he says, "Aansoo bhi theyy aur khushian bhi… pic.twitter.com/aCQpe4vrVL
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Meanwhile, Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast moderate to heavy rain with brief intense showers at many places of J-K during the next 4-6 hours. There is possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and mudslides at a few vulnerable places and hilly areas, including Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar, Qazigund, Gandarbal, hilly areas of Budgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda, and Kishtwar among others.
Jammu and Kashmir Cloudburst LIVE: Check latest updates, death toll, rescue operation details, helpline number for Kishtwar flash floods here
Kishtwar Clouburst LIVE: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt
According to an update shared by PTI, at least 60 people were killed in the cloudburst while more than 100 suffered injuries. Officials said they had so far identified 30 of the bodies that were retrieved.
The rescue-and-relief operation was suspended late on Thursday night but resumed with the first light of the day despite rains. The teams — comprising o police, Army, NDRF, SDRF personnel and local volunteers — are sifting through the rubble to find the survivors.
Officials said they had retrieved more bodies but added that there were likely no survivors as the chances of finding anyone alive diminished with each passing hour.
Kishtwar Clouburst LIVE: Statement from Deputy CM
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that it is 'not right to quantify the sorrow' when asked to comment on the Kishtwar cloudburst death toll. Confirmed 60 by CM Abdullah earlier today, Choudhary said, "It is better if we do not discuss the number of deaths. Speaking about the injured, 49 are in the ward and 2 are in the ICU...," as he prayed for their speedy recovery.
Kishtwar Clouburst LIVE: Dramatic visauls appear
Amid the Independence Day festivities, Jammu and Kashmir was battling a cloudburst-hit valley. These visuals from Kishtwar might shock you.
See visuals here:
Kishtwar Clouburst LIVE: Indian Air Force provides relief
As per ANI reports, there are two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) on standby at Jammu and Udhampur to provide necessary relief to those trapped and stranded in the Kishtwar cloudburst.
Kishtwar Clouburst LIVE: J&K CM set to visit affected site
As rescue operations are underway and concerns rise for the people stuck in the valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minsiter, Omar Abdullah, revealed in a post on social media that is set to leave for Kishtwar.
He " will be going to the scene of the cloud burst tragedy early tomorrow morning to see, first hand, the extent of the damage." Adding to the post, he wrote, "I will review the rescue operation & assess what further help is required."
Kishtwar Clouburst LIVE: PM Modi speaks to Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said he has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a devastating cloudburst in a remote village in Kishtwar district that has claimed 60 lives and injured more than 100.
Read More:
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Kishtwar cloud burst eyewitness accounts
Till now, 46 bodies have been recovered. Eyewitnesses report that the sound of the cloudburst, which triggered the flash flood, sounded like a 'blast'.
Here is what others say:
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: 'There might be 500 people trapped' says JKNC chief
JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah spoke to ANI following the Independence Day celebrations and gave a brief estimate of the people still trapped in the Keshtwar. He estimated that there might be 500 people trapped under the debris and rubble.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Dramatic visuals capture Kishtwar cloudburst
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: What do we know about the affected area?
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Death toll rises to 44, dozens remain missing
According to an AP report quoting officials, at least 44 people have been confirmed dead while dozens remain missing. Rescue teams scouring the devastated Himalayan village have brought at least 200 people to safety. Disaster management official Mohammed Irshad estimated that at least 50 people were still missing, with many believed to have been washed away.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Death toll rises to 38, rescue operation remains underway
Officials have now recovered 38 bodies following the massive cloudburst in a remote mountain village of Kishtwar district. Rescue operations remain underway.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Admin sets up control room and help desk
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday set up a control room-cum-help desk to assist people and pilgrims. The control room has been set up in Paddar, about 15 km from Chositi village where the disaster struck. Five officials have been put on duty for the control room.
The numbers provided are: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.
Besides these, the district control room numbers are 01995-259555 and 9484217492, and the police control room number of Kishtwar is 9906154100.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: What exactly is a cloudburst?
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, a cloudburst is a sudden, intense downpour of over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in just one hour. This can trigger sudden floods, landslides, and devastation, especially in mountainous regions during the monsoon.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: 'Rescue ops underway,' official shares update
"At around 11.30 am in the morning, we received information that a cloudburst occurred in the Chashoti area in Kishtwar. SRDF, local police and administration reached the spot. The NDRF team is also about to reach the spot. The army, air force teams have also been activated. Search and rescue operations are underway," said Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Amit Shah dials CM, LG; assures 'all possible help'
"Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need," Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Authorities issue alert as river in Mendhar overflows
Visuals shared from Poonch district showed a river in spate due to heavy, incessant rainfall. The river in Mendhar has now overflowed --- with water entering the road.
Two National Disaster Response Force teams were rushed to Kishtwar district after the massive cloudburst struck. According to an update shared by the NDRF, nearly 180 members equipped with modern gadgets were rushed from its Udhampur base.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Visuals from the affected area
Twelve bodies have been recovered from the cloudburst-hit village in Kishtwar. Officials told PTI that the toll could go up.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Rescue operations have been started, says Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma
"A flash flood has occurred at the Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue operations have been started," says Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: J-K administration will make arrangements for heli-rescue for medical treatment, says Jitendra Singh
On flash flood Chashoti area in Kishtwar, Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh says, "I got a call from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma about a massive cloudburst in the area which he represents. It also happens to be the route of the popular Machail Mata Yatra which takes place there. The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties. We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the incident. Very soon we will know more details. Every possible assistance will be provided. The administration will also make arrangements for heli-rescue for medical treatment."
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: 10 persons feared dead in cloudburst en route to Machail Mata Yatra
At least 10 persons are feared dead in a cloudburst en route to Machail Mata Yatra in J-K's Kishtwar district, says officials, quoted by PTI.
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha offered condolences to the bereaved families
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the cloudburst.
"Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected," reads his post on X.
Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 14, 2025
Cloudburst in J&K LIVE
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