A massive cloudburst in Chashoti in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district occurred on Thursday afternoon, resulting in flash floods. Chashoti is the starting point of the Machail Mata Yatra to the Himalayan shrine of Mata Chandi in Kishtwar. The cloudburst could result in substantial casualties, said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
"Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements are being made," he noted in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Here are the Live Updates on cloudburst in J&K's Chashoti:
J&K Cloudburst: At Least 12 Dead After Massive Cloudburst In Kishtwar, Rescue Ops On
At least 12 people have been killed after a massive cloudburst caused a flash flood in the Chashoti village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district this afternoon. Rescue teams have been rushed to the spot and visuals showed pilgrims being evacuated.
J&K Cloudburst
- The disaster hit Chashoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, between 12 noon and 1 pm
- A large number of people had gathered for the Machail Mata yatra
- From there begins the 8.5 km trek to the shrine.
- Chashoti is at an altitude of 9,500 ft and about 90 km from Kishtwar
J&K Cloudburst: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Expressed "Deep Sorrow Over Tragedy"
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar. Mr Abdullah extended condolences to the bereaved families.
"The Chief Minister's office is in touch with the district administration and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken," a post on X (formerly Twitter) read.
Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar, extending condolences to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister's office is in touch with the district administration and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken.
— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) August 14, 2025
"Massive" Cloudburst, Could Lead To "Substantial Casualties": Union Minister Jitendra Singh
The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Jammu & Kashmir cloudburst. "We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the incident," he added.
"The cloudburst is of a massive scale, which could possibly lead to substantial casualties. We immediately got in touch with the District authorities, who were also at a loss, as it had taken everyone by surprise. They have already started moving towards the site of the… pic.twitter.com/PEbbms0RTf
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 14, 2025
Explained: Why Do Cloudbursts Happen In The Hills
- Topography: Mountains force moist air to rise rapidly, causing sudden cooling and condensation
- Weather Conditions: Warm air with high moisture content meets cooler air at high altitudes. This results in intense convection and localised torrential rain.
J&K Cloudburst: What Causes Cloudbursts
Cloudbursts happen when warm, moist air quickly rises over mountains, cools down, and turns into heavy rain. This process, called orographic lift, causes the air to release a large amount of rain in a short time. Other factors like the sudden mixing of warm and cold air, strong upward air movement (convection), and high moisture in the air at high altitudes can also lead to cloudbursts.
Explained: What Is A Cloudburst
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of rainfall in a short period, often over a small geographical area. It typically occurs in mountainous regions and can lead to sudden flash floods and landslides.
The term refers not to a literal bursting cloud but to rapid precipitation from cumulonimbus clouds, sometimes accompanied by thunder or hail.
By definition, a cloudburst involves 100 mm (4 inches) or more of rainfall within an hour. That is roughly the amount of rain some cities receive in a month, all in under 60 minutes.
J&K Cloudburst: 10 Feared Dead After Massive Cloudburst In J&K's Chashoti
🔴#BREAKING | 10 Feared Dead After Massive Cloudburst In J&K's Chositi, Rescue Op On
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 14, 2025
Track all live updates: https://t.co/AFPewALQjx
NDTV's @nazir_masoodi joins @divyawadhwa with more details pic.twitter.com/BuKD0bZZt7
J&K Cloudburst Live Updates
"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," said Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma.
J&K Cloudburst: Machail Mata Yatra Suspended
Machail Mata Yatra, which started on July 25 and was meant to continue till September 5, has been suspended following a massive cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti.
J&K Cloudburst: Massive Cloudburst Struck Chashoti Area
Massive cloudburst struck Chishoti area in the Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, along the route to the Machail Matta Yatra.
— Rakesh Kumar (@RiCkY_847) August 14, 2025
Casualties are feared, though further details and official confirmation are awaited. https://t.co/d5AQMPAbfU pic.twitter.com/xJgI5WrpwP
J&K Cloudburst: 10 Feared Dead
At least 10 persons feared dead in cloudburst en route Machail Mata Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, reported news agency PTI.
J&K Cloudburst: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Assures Assistance To Victims
Sharing the news of the cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that it could lead to substantial causalities.
:Administration has immediately swung into action, rescue team has left for the site. Damage evaluation and, necessary rescue and medical management arrangements being made. My office receiving regular updates, all possible assistance will be provided," he wrote in a post on X.
Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma.
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 14, 2025
Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into…
J&K Cloudburst: J&K Lieutenant-Governor Expresses Condolences
Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families and prayers for quick recovery of injured, a post from the Office of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha read.
The Lieutenant-Governor informed that civil, police, army, and teams of NDRF and SDRF have been directed to strengthen the rescue and relief operations.
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.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 14, 2025
J&K Cloudburst: Rescue Operations Underway
A massive cloudburst has been reported from Jammu and Kashmir's Chashoti. In the visuals from the ground, people can be seen walking to safer areas.
🔴#BREAKING | Massive cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Chositi; Rescue operations underway
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 14, 2025
📹: ANI/X pic.twitter.com/JsIm1NK5HS
