
J&K: 10 Feared Dead As Massive Cloudburst Hits Kishtwar's Chositi, Rescue Ops Underway
"A flash flood has occurred at Chositi area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," said Pankaj Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, ANI reported.
Following the incident, Union minister Jitendra Singh spoke to Kishtwar deputy commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma and said that all possible assistance will be provided.
'Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made. My office is receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided,' Jitendra Singh posted on X.

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We will plan movement of transport Mandi DC on landslide damage in Himachal
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 17 (ANI): Multiple flash floods and landslides have disrupted traffic and caused extensive damage to public and private property in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said, 'There have been a lot of landslides due to heavy rain. A lot of damage has been done to both public and private properties. We will plan the movement of the transports; this will be our target for today."Flash floods were reported at Panarsa, Takoli, and Nagwain along the Mandi-Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, blocking connectivity at several points and causing major disruption to vehicular movement. No human casualties have been reported so far, according to Sachin Hiremath, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mandi. Police personnel are maintaining strict vigil at affected sites, while restoration work is underway to reopen the Pradesh continues to reel under heavy monsoon rains. According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), the state has recorded 261 deaths between June 20 and August 16, 2025. Of these, 136 were caused by rain-related incidents such as landslides, floods, flash floods, drowning, electrocution, and house collapses, while 125 lives were lost in road accidents. Mandi district has been particularly affected, reporting 26 rain-related deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure. Other severely hit districts include Kangra (28 deaths), Chamba (10), and Kullu (11).The HPSDMA report highlights damage worth Rs 2,14,457 lakh to public and private property. Roads, water supply schemes, agriculture, horticulture, and electricity infrastructure have suffered heavily. The Public Works Department alone reported losses exceeding Rs 1.18 lakh crore, while combined agricultural and horticultural losses are estimated at over Rs 83,000 crore. Road connectivity remains one of the worst-hit sectors, with frequent blockages on NH-05 (Kinnaur) and NH-305 (Kullu), leaving several interior villages cut off and delaying rescue and relief and livestock have also suffered, with 278 houses fully damaged, 288 partially damaged, 703 cowsheds destroyed, and over 27,000 animals and birds lost. Authorities said restoring essential services–roads, power, and water supply–remains a top priority, but continuous rainfall and recurring landslides are slowing the process. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow weather advisories. (ANI)


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Kathua cloudburst: Army deploys troops, resources to help in rescue operation
The Indian Army was at the forefront of the relief and rescue operation on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, where four people were killed and many injured in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in the Ghati area. Army's Rising Star Corps said on X, 'Indian army Columns on the ground in #Kathua — rescuing families, giving hope, food & care after the #Cloudburst'. The Army also posted pictures of its soldiers helping with the rescue of injured people, shifting them to safety so that they can be evacuated on time for medical attention. Meanwhile, Nagrota headquartered White Knight Corps also said on X, 'In the aftermath of a cloud burst at #ChisotiVillage, #Kishtwar, troops of #WhiteKnightCorps swiftly mobilised for rescue & relief ops. Efforts are centred on safeguarding lives and aiding survivors. Search for missing continues. Relief stores, medical teams & rescue gear rushed to site. We Serve, We Protect.' Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh informed that helicopters have been pressed into service for the timely evacuation of the injured people from the disaster site to the hospitals. Dr Jitendra Singh has posted an update on the Kathua cloudburst, saying on X that helicopter services have been arranged for shifting the injured to appropriate hospitals. '6 injured have been airlifted for hospitalisation in Mamoon, Pathankot, which was found to be relatively nearer destination. DIG Police, Sh Shiv Kumar Sharma, along with his team, is camping at the spot and is in constant touch with me. Further assistance will be arranged, as and when required,' he wrote on X. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to J&K L-G and CM, assuring all support from the Central government in the relief and rescue operation underway in Kathua. He said on X, 'Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. 'Assured every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K,' he said. At least four people were killed and many others injured after a cloudburst hit Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district during the night intervening Saturday and Sunday, said officials here, adding that a rescue operation is now underway in the affected area. Dr Jitendra Singh was the first to post the news about the Kathua cloudburst when he said on X, 'Spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area. 4 Casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected." CM Omar Abdullah's office said that the Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and damage caused by landslides in several parts of District Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed 4 lives and left many injured. 'He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance. Chief Minister has directed the administration to carry out immediate relief, rescue and evacuation measures to ensure the safety and support of affected families,' the CMO said. The district administration issued a weather advisory and said "heavy to very heavy rainfall" is reported across the district. It also requested the public to stay away from water bodies. This is the second cloudburst to hit Jammu and Kashmir during the last four days. On August 14, a massive cloudburst hit the Chashoti village in the Padder sub-division of Kishtwar district. So far, 65 bodies have been recovered, and over 100 people have been rescued in the Chashoti cloudburst disaster. Meanwhile, 75 people have been reported missing by their families, although locals and eyewitnesses claim that hundreds may have been swept away by flash floods and buried under giant boulders, logs, and rubble. Among the deceased were two personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and a Special Police Officer (SPO) of the local police, the officials added. The disaster struck Chashoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple


News18
2 hours ago
- News18
J&K Kathua Cloudburst LIVE: 7 Dead, Rescue Ops On; Amit Shah Assures All Support From Centre
Live now Last Updated: J&K Kathua Cloudburst LIVE: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. J&K Kathua Cloudburst LIVE: As many as seven people were killed, several were injured, after a cloudburst incident struck parts of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The cloudburst was triggered by heavy rain in the union territory. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took stock of the situation and spoke to LG Manoj Sinha. He informed that relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. The Home Minister assured all the support from the Modi government. Meanwhile, in the wake of the recent cloudburst in Kathua, the government has announced ex gratia assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, in addition to support under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), to aid those affected. As part of the relief package, Rs 2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those severely injured, and Rs 50,000 to individuals with minor injuries. Aug 17, 2025 13:34 IST Kathua Cloudburst LIVE: Flash Flood Alert Issued for 10 Districts in Jammu & Kashmir The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a flash flood alert with medium intensity, warning of low to moderate flash flood risk in 10 districts across the Union Territory. The alert, issued at 09:15 AM on August 17, remains in effect until the morning of August 18. The affected districts include Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba, and Udhampur. Authorities have cautioned residents about the risk of runoff and inundation in saturated or low-lying areas, advising everyone to stay alert and take necessary precautions. In case of emergencies, citizens are urged to dial 112 for assistance. The alert was issued by JKUTDMA (Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority).