A sudden, heavy downpour in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on August 14, 2025, has led to the deaths of at least 34 people, with more than 200 others still missing, officials reported. The disaster struck in the town of Chasoti, located in Kishtwar district, which is a key stop on a popular pilgrimage route. This tragic event follows closely after a devastating flood and mudslide in Uttarakhand, which occurred just over a week ago.
The floodwaters washed away vital structures, including a community kitchen and a security post set up along the route to the Machail Mata temple. Many pilgrims who had gathered for lunch were swept away by the powerful waters. An anonymous official confirmed the details but declined to speak further on record.
Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of IIOJK, stated that verified information from the affected area is slow to arrive due to the challenging circumstances. Television footage showed pilgrims in distress as floodwaters surged through the village.
The cloudburst occurred around 11:30 am local time. Ramesh Kumar, the divisional commissioner of Kishtwar, confirmed that local authorities, along with disaster response teams, have reached the area. The Indian Army and Air Force have also mobilized to support search and rescue efforts.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, a cloudburst is defined as a sudden and intense rainfall event, where over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain falls in a short period, triggering flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas during the monsoon.
Authorities in Srinagar have issued warnings of more heavy rainfall for several regions in Kashmir, including Kishtwar, urging residents to avoid unstable structures, electric poles, and old trees due to the possibility of mudslides and further flooding.
