Image Source: Agencies

Aug 18, 2025: Seven persons, including five minors, were killed after a flashflood and landslide triggered by a cloudburst struck their houses in two villages of Kathua district on Sunday. Three days earlier, over 60 people were killed in a cloudburst in Kishtwar. The road and rail connectivity came to a standstill for hours before the administration, Army and NDRF swung into action. In light of the incident in Kishtwar, the Central Government is keeping a close eye on the situation to make sure that no more lives are lost. After the cloudburst, a flash flood struck their village, killing Surmu Din (30) and his sons Fanu (6), Shedu (5), Tahu (2), and Zulfan (15). On the other hand, Renu Devi (39) and her daughter Radhika (9) from Janglot village died in a landslide.

The injured have been identified as Gogli Begum (26) and her daughter Nageena (3 months), and Karoon Begum (26) and her daughters Rafia (4) Aisha (6) and Parveen Akhter (8).

“Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua,” Home Minister Amit Shah wrote in a post on X. The local administration is carrying out relief and rescue efforts, and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the scene. Assured every support from the government. We strongly support our J&K brothers and sisters." Dilwan-Hutli in the Lakhanpur police station area and Changda village, both under the jurisdiction of the Kathua police station, were also affected by the rain-induced landslide, but no significant damage was reported. The torrential downpour also flooded the Kathua police station.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by the cloudburst and landslides in several parts of Kathua.

In addition to the assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund, he announced ex-gratia assistance from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to provide immediate relief. The financial assistance includes Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those severely injured and Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries. For the damage to houses, Rs 1 lakh will be given for fully damaged houses, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged houses and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged houses.

The CM directed the administration to take immediate relief, rescue and evacuation steps to ensure the safety of the affected families and to extend full support to them.

The injured have been transported to hospitals by helicopter, according to Jitendra Singh, Minister of State. Six injured people have been flown by air to Mamoon, Pathankot, for treatment. He stated, "DIG (Police) Shiv Kumar Sharma and his team are camping at the location." "Deeply anguished by the loss of life in the devastating landslides in several areas of Kathua," said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The tragedy numbs the mind."