The cloudburst struck J&K's remote village Chasoti on the route of Machail Mata Yatra, between 12 noon and 1 pm, when a large number of people had gathered. The 8.5 kilometre trek to the 9,500-feet-high shrine begins from Chositi.
The yatra has been suspended after the disaster struck the village, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
Authorities immediately rushed to the spot and commenced the rescue operations.
#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
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
Chositi is about 90 kms from Kishtwar town. A 'langar' (community kitchen) set up for the devotees here bore the brunt of the cloudburst, which led to flash floods and washed away several structures, including shops and a security outpost.
Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about the incident. "Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from J&K LoP and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. A massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casuality."
"Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made," he added.
The Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma, said. "A flash flood has occurred at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, which is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra. Rescue Operations have been started," as per ANI.
#WATCH | On flash flood at Chashoti area in Kishtwar, J&K LoP and MLA Padder- Nagseni, MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma says, "We don't have any numbers or data yet, but there is a possibility of huge damage there. Currently, we don't have any numbers or data. Due to the ongoing yatra,… pic.twitter.com/dxCBwuylGl
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir said, "Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected," in a statement released by his office on X.
PM Modi assures of every help
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people of the region of every possible aid they would need during these times.
"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need," PM Modi said in a statement on X.
Amit Shah speaks with J&K CM
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about the cloudburst, while assuring all possible help to the people.
#WATCH | J&K | A flash flood has occurred at the Chashoti area in Kishtwar following a cloud burst. Rescue Operations have been initiated.
Latest visuals from the area, showing the extent of damage. pic.twitter.com/pCsgP0GZq2
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
"Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need," the home minister wrote on X.
Omar Abdullah, the J&K CM, said, "I just spoke to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst is slow in arriving."
"All possible resources are being mobilised from within & beyond J&K to manage the rescue operations. I’m not going to be speaking to channels or news agencies. The government will share information as & when possible," he added.
'Take global warming seriously': Farooq Abdullah urges PM
Jammu Kashmir National Conference party chief Farooq Abdullah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take global warming seriously.
"I would like to tell the Prime Minister to take the issue of global warming very seriously. This has become very common in hilly areas. One or the other method will have to be looked for to overcome this. So, I appeal to him to think in this hour of grief about how this can be remedied," he told reporters.
Helpline numbers
The control room has been set up in Paddar, about 15 kms from Chositi village. Numbers are: 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.
District control room numbers: 01995-259555 and 9484217492
Police control room number of Kishtwar: 9906154100
President Murmu condoles lives lost
President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loves lost due to the cloudburst in Kishtwar.
"The news of several deaths due to a cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu-Kashmir, is extremely tragic. I express my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and pray for the success of relief and rescue operations," she said in a statement in Hindi on X.
Flash floods across Jammu and Kashmir
Various regions of Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by flash floods on Thursday, August 14, following the cloudburst in Kishtwar.
#WATCH | J&K: Various areas of the Kangan subdivision hit by flash floods. Many roads blocked. Rescue operations underway. pic.twitter.com/rOVeEiibQw
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
River in Mendhar is reported to be in spate due to heavy incessant rainfall in Poonch. River has overflown and flooded the roads. Administration has alerted the people about the situation.
#WATCH | J&K: River in Mendhar in spate due to heavy incessant rainfall in Poonch. River overflows and floods the road.
Administration alerts people about the situation. pic.twitter.com/3fqYGbsQeS
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2025
