Torrential flooding in a Kashmir mountain village claims 56 lives, with many more presumed missing
Deadly Flash Flood Hits Kishtwar, India
A devastating flash flood in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on August 14, 2025, has left at least 67 people dead, over 300 injured, and around 200 missing. The disaster occurred in the Chisoti village, which is on a Hindu pilgrimage route to Machail Mata shrine, and was caused by a sudden cloudburst.
The disaster struck the Himalayan town of Dharali, burying it in mud. Rescue efforts have been underway, but the harsh terrain and ongoing weather conditions have made the task challenging. Soldiers have joined the effort to reach the affected area and evacuate survivors.
At the time of the disaster, approximately 1,200 people, including pilgrims on the Machail Mata Yatra, were in the area. Over 500 people were believed trapped by the floods. The disaster completely washed away a large makeshift kitchen for more than 100 unregistered pilgrims.
The area's weather department has issued an alert for more heavy rain and floods, urging residents to stay vigilant. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, district commissioner of Kishtwar, stated there are chances of more dead bodies being found.
This disaster is one of the most severe recent cloudburst-related flash floods in the Himalayan region and highlights the increasing vulnerability of such areas to extreme weather events. The area is located more than 200 kilometres (125 miles) by road from the region's main city Srinagar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to provide every possible assistance to those in need. The UN's World Meteorological Organization has stated that increasingly intense floods and droughts are a "distress signal" of what is to come as climate change makes the planet's water cycle ever more unpredictable.
References: 1. The Hindu 2. Al Jazeera 3. BBC News 4. Reuters
The fatal flash flood in India, specifically in Kishtwar district, has been followed by a weather alert for more heavy rain and flooding, posing a threat to the already vulnerable region. The disaster, which has claimed over 67 lives, occurred on a Hindu pilgrimage route to Machail Mata shrine and was caused by a sudden cloudburst, causing challenges in rescue missions and evacuations.
