Massive cloudburst in J&K's Chashoti; 38 dead
What's the story
A massive cloudburst has struck the Chashoti area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering a flash flood. "A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma. As many as 38 people, including two CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel, have been killed, while 100 others have been injured.
Official response
Union minister assures assistance
Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh has assured that all possible assistance is being provided to the affected families. He spoke to DC Kishtwar after receiving an urgent message from local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma about the potential for substantial casualties due to the cloudburst. "Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site," he said. The NDRF has dispatched 180 members, outfitted with modern gadgets from its Udhampur base, to the cloudburst-affected area.
Twitter Post
Rescue operations underway
#WATCH | J&K | 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. pic.twitter.com/dQbUBx46A9
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
Official statement
Cloudburst comes amid ongoing Machail Mata pilgrimage
The cloudburst coincides with the ongoing Machail Mata pilgrimage in the area. Chashoti is the final stop for pilgrims who park their vehicles and walk to the Machail Mata temple, which is located at an elevation of 2,800 meters. The yatra, which saw the participation of thousands of people from across the Jammu division, began on July 25 and will end on September 5.
IMD
Mudslide in Dharali
The country is facing heavy monsoon rains, with hilly areas suffering the worst, particularly in Uttarakhand. On August 5, a mudslide caused by torrential rains and flash floods submerged nearly half of Dharali. As of Tuesday, 66 persons remained missing. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert, warning of an imminent threat of flash floods in Uttarakhand and Himachal, West Bengal, Bihar, and Sikkim in eastern India; Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the south; and parts of Maharashtra.
Warning
Remain vigilant: IMD
The weather agency has asked people to remain vigilant over the next 24 hours. The alert applies to Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Lahul and Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts in Himachal and Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, and Uttarkashi districts in Uttarakhand. The IMD has warned Himalayan states, including Jammu and Kashmir, of extremely high rainfall of up to 210 mm in the coming day and heavy rain over the next six-seven days.