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News18
2 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Kishtwar Tragedy: Chilling Video Shows Moment Cloudburst Triggered Flash Floods In J&K
A deadly cloudburst hit Kishtwar, causing flash floods. At least 46 people are feared dead. Rescue operations continue. CM Omar Abdullah scaled down Independence Day celebrations. A chilling video has emerged capturing the moment a deadly cloudburst struck a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar, unleashing flash floods that tore through the area within seconds. The footage shows a sudden surge of muddy, debris-laden water roaring down the valley, sweeping away everything in its path. The sheer force of the torrent is accompanied by panicked shouts from residents, many of whom scramble to higher ground in a desperate bid to escape. Rescue operations are currently underway, and officials fear the death toll may rise as efforts continue. As of now, at least 46 people are feared dead. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the affected families. Watch the terrifying moment when the deadly cloudburst triggered flash floods in Kishtwar's remote village. #kishtwarcloudburst — Ieshan Wani (@Ieshan_W) August 14, 2025 Authorities have scaled down Independence Day celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir in light of the tragedy, as rescue efforts continue under challenging weather conditions. According to the weather department, situated in the higher reaches, the exact rainfall in the area is still unknown. 'It is difficult to confirm if it was a cloudburst, as the affected village is situated at a high altitude. We have only two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in this area, one of which is in Kishtwar town, far from the affected village. Both recorded less than 3 mm of rain on Thursday," said a senior meteorologist from IMD Srinagar. Local residents said the cloudburst struck between noon and 1 pm, with the bulk of pilgrims gathered at Chasoti, which is also the last motorable point before the Kali Mata temple, located at 2,880 metres. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 days ago
- Climate
- News18
After Uttarkashi, Monsoon Fury Hits Kishtwar, Jammu On Alert After Deadly Flash Floods
MeT had put J&K on alert for heavy monsoon rains, but with only distant Automatic Weather Stations in Kishtwar area, the exact rain that fell over the affected village is unknown After Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Jammu region is now on high alert following intense monsoon rains that triggered a devastating flash flood in Kishtwar, killing over 40 people, with the death toll expected to increase. Situated in the higher reaches, the exact rainfall in the area is still unknown, according to the weather department. 'It is difficult to confirm if it was a cloudburst, as the affected village is situated at a high altitude. We have only two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in this area, one of which is in Kishtwar town, far from the affected village. Both recorded less than 3 mm of rain on Thursday," said a senior meteorologist from IMD Srinagar. What is a cloudburst? The India Meteorological Department declares a cloudburst when, typically, 100 mm of rain falls over a very small area in a very short time, generally an hour. A similar disaster struck Uttarkashi on August 5, triggering catastrophic flash floods that wiped out much of the high-altitude Dharali village in Uttarakhand. With the rescue operation also hit by rain, the death toll there is still climbing. Jammu remained under a red warning throughout Thursday, with persistent rainfall continuing across various places in the region. As per the latest forecast, rains are expected to continue for another two days at least, with the possibility of intermittent intense showers. Forecasters warn that such intense showers can trigger flash floods and landslides, as the region is highly vulnerable. 'We have issued alerts for all districts in the Jammu division, including Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, and Ramban," the weather department stated, urging people to stay away from water bodies and river embankments. Excess monsoon this season Most of India, except parts of the Northeast, has experienced normal to excess rainfall this monsoon season, with zero deficit persisting nationwide as of August 14. The rainfall over northwest India has so far been 15% above the long-period average (LPA) with intense spells of rain recorded over the past few weeks, triggering a spate of disasters in the vulnerable Himalayan states. The heavy rains in the Himalayan states caused a worsening of the floods downstream in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with several rivers overflowing. According to IMD, this was largely because the monsoon trough was north of its normal position, which brings excess rains in the foothills of the Himalayas, as well as due to a western disturbance hitting the region. Scientists also point to the trend of increasing monsoon extremes, with short bursts of intense rainfall becoming far more frequent and severe in recent years, triggering flash floods and landslides. The Himalayan region's vulnerability stems not only from its rugged topography and fragile geography but also from the escalating construction activities that are eroding the critical forest cover. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
22-04-2025
- Climate
- News18
Ramban Flash Floods & Hailstorm: What Caused Overnight Deluge in Kashmir? Explained
Last Updated: The topography of Ramban region in Jammu and Kashmir is such that a strong spell of rain can trigger massive mudslides and landslides. The region is highly vulnerable to flash floods Even as temperatures soared to 44℃ in the plains of Northwest India, intense heavy rainfall and hailstorm pounded parts of Kashmir region on Sunday with winds gusting up to 40-50 kmph intensifying the damage. Over 60 mm rainfall fell in just two hours in the Ramban district situated on the banks of Chenab river triggering flash floods and devastating landslides. As of Monday morning, the extreme weather has killed at least three people, while a few remain missing as the rescue operations continue. More than 100 people from the adjoining villages have been rescued so far, as the deluge has swept away houses, shops and damaged local infrastructure. A detailed assessment is awaited, but local reports suggest that parts of Jammu-Srinagar highway have also been blocked. 'It was not technically a cloudburst, but intense heavy rain caused by a high-intensity weather system," said Mukhtar Ahmed, senior meteorologist and director, IMD Srinagar, referring to the intense weather disturbance which impacted the north-western Himalayas, and caused heavy rains over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan & Muzaffarabad. 'Nearly 60 mm rainfall was recorded over Ramban in just two hours. The topography of the region is such that a strong spell of rain can trigger massive mudslides and landslides. The region is highly vulnerable to flash floods. Normally, we do not expect heavy rain/snow during this time, but it depends on the formation of weather systems," Ahmed told CNN-News18. Bandipora recorded 30 mm rain. The IMD had earlier warned of an approaching western disturbance till April 20, with peak intensity on April 18 and 19. The temperatures had plummeted significantly across the Kashmir-Ladakh region over the past few days with a fresh spell of snowfall in the upper reaches, and hailstorm hitting many areas. The freaky weather also affected the local crops, especially apple blossoms and horticulture production. What Are Flash Floods? Flash floods occur due to excessive or continuous rainfall over a period of days, or during particular seasons, which can lead to stagnation of water. The US's meteorological agency, the National Weather Service, says flash floods are caused when rainfall creates flooding in less than six hours. It adds that flash floods can also be caused by factors apart from rainfall, like when water goes beyond the levels of a dam. In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts – sudden, intense rainfall in a short period of time. Most Himalayan states face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers. Flash flooding commonly happens where rivers are narrow and steep, so they flow more quickly, as per the Met Office, UK's national weather service. What Are Western Disturbances? Western Disturbances are these extra-tropical storms which originate from the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastwards. They bring rain/snow over northwest India once they impact the Himalayas. Extratropical storms are a global phenomenon that carry moisture in the upper atmosphere, as opposed to tropical storms, which carry moisture in the lower atmosphere. During the winter, western disturbances become more frequent and stronger. The latest forecast suggests the weather system has passed, and the intensity of rainfall is gradually falling, however parts of Himachal Pradesh may experience hailstorm in some areas. What Is MeT Prediction? The MeT has warned of isolated to scattered rain, lightning and gusty winds for the next 24 hours in the Kashmir region, following which the weather is likely to remain dry. Another fresh western disturbance is likely to impact the western Himalayan region on April 24. The maximum temperatures are currently above-normal in many parts of Kashmir region peaking at 31.5℃ in Muzaffarabad (Kashmir), and 36.6℃ in Kathua (Jammu). The minimum temperatures also remain above-normal, with the lowest of 0.6℃ in Gulmarg (Kashmir) and 36.6℃ in Banihal (Jammu).
