Flash Flood Kills 12 in J&K's Kishtwar

A cloudburst on Thursday triggered flash flood in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar's Chositi area, according to officials.

"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," Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma told ANI.

The CNN-News 18 has reported that at least 12 people are feared dead at the moment and the toll could rise. The casualties are feared after the flash flood washed away a community kitchen. However, there has not been any formal confirmation of casualties.

The CNN-News 18 has reported that at least 12 people are feared dead at the moment and the toll could rise.

Separately, Union minister Jitender

Singh said that that the cloud burst "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 being made," Singh further said on X.

State media shared visuals from the area that show water gushing downhill from what appears to be a broken road. Vehicles are also seen stranded.

Cloudburst hits Chositi, #Kishtwar. Administration swings into action; rescue team heads to site. Union Minister @DrJitendraSingh speaks to DC Pankaj Kumar Sharma & LoP @Sunil_SharmaBJP , says damage assessment, rescue & medical aid underway; all help to be provided.@dckishtwar pic.twitter.com/v7ajZyzWyG

— Akashvani News Jammu (@radionews_jammu) August 14, 2025

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said that two teams have been deployed to

Kishtwar for rescue and relief work.

Separately, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of J&K said, "Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected."

Alert issued for heavy rainfall across J&K

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued an alert for moderate to heavy

rainfall with thunder, lightning, and gusty winds across many parts of J&K over the next four to six hours.

The affected areas will be in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar, Ganderbal, hilly regions of Budgam, as well as parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Jammu, Doda, and Kishtwar, the forecast said.

The Qazigund–Banihal–Ramban highway axis may also experience intense rainfall for short periods and there is a possibility of cloudburst incidents, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones,

particularly in vulnerable and hilly areas, according to the forecast.