Heavy downpours instigate sudden floods in Kashmir, claiming the lives of at least 56 individuals and leaving numerous others unaccounted for
In the heart of Kashmir's Kishtwar district, the picturesque village of Chositi was hit by a catastrophic disaster in August 2025. Torrential rains triggered a deadly flash flood and landslides, marking the most significant historical flood event in the village.
The disaster claimed at least 44 to 56 lives, with dozens more missing and many injured. The remote village, situated on a pilgrimage route, was left in ruins as roads and buildings were washed away. Over 200 pilgrims were in the kitchen when the tragedy struck, and the main community kitchen set up for them was swept away along with dozens of vehicles and motorbikes.
Remarkably, three horses that were completely buried alongside the bodies were miraculously recovered alive. Rescue and relief operations, involving local authorities, police, army, and specialized disaster response teams, were immediately mobilized. By nightfall, at least 300 people had been brought to safety from the devastated village.
However, the forecast of more heavy rains in the area has forced a halt in operations. As of late Thursday, scores of people are still missing, with at least 80 people estimated to be unaccounted for. Disaster management official Mohammed Irshad warned that the count of missing people could increase as authorities continue to tally the figures.
Chositi, the last village accessible to motor vehicles on the route of the ongoing annual Hindu pilgrimage, has suspended the yatra due to the floods. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his prayers to those affected by the cloudburst and flooding, stating that rescue and relief operations are underway.
Cloudbursts, sudden, intense downpours over small areas, are increasingly common in India's Himalayan regions. They have the potential to wreak havoc by causing intense flooding and landslides, impacting thousands of people in the mountainous regions.
Villagers and local officials were the initial responders to the disaster, later joined by police, disaster management officials, and personnel from India's military and paramilitary forces. At least 50 seriously injured people are being treated in local hospitals.
Photos and videos circulating on social media show extensive damage caused in the village. Homes, clustered together in the foothills of Chositi, were damaged or washed away. More rescue teams are on their way to the area to strengthen rescue and relief operations.
India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, warned that the disaster "could result in substantial" loss of life. This event stands out due to the high death toll, extensive damage, and the involvement of the annual yatra. No earlier notable flood events in Chositi are detailed in current search results.
- The disaster in Chositi, caused by a violent cloudburst and heavy rains, resulted not only in extensive property damage from flash floods and landslides, but also tragic car-accidents and fires, making it a significant event in general-news.
- As rescue and relief operations continue following the catastrophic flood in Chositi, the threat of additional car-accidents due to the forecasted bad weather remains a concern, making the situation even more precarious and complex for those still missing.
