At least 12 people have been confirmed dead after a massive cloudburst struck Chishoti village in the Padder sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday. Officials fear the death toll could rise further as rescue operations continue.

The cloudburst hit Chasoti — the last motorable point on the way to the popular Machail Mata temple — sometime between noon and 1 PM, just as a large number of devotees had gathered there for the annual yatra. From Chasoti, pilgrims begin an 8.5 km trek to the temple, located at an altitude of 9,500 feet.

A community kitchen (langar) set up for the yatris was reportedly among the worst-hit structures. The flash floods that followed swept through the area, catching many by surprise.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he was in touch with the district administration. “A massive cloudburst in the Chasoti area may have led to significant casualties. The administration has responded swiftly. Rescue teams are on the way and my office is receiving continuous updates,” he said in a post on X.

Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also posted on X, saying he had briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “The situation is grim. Verified information is coming in slowly from the affected region, but all available resources—both within and outside J&K—are being mobilised for rescue operations,” he said, adding that official updates would be shared when possible.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the tragedy. “Anguished by the cloudburst in Chasoti, Kishtwar. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the injured. I’ve directed civil, police, Army, NDRF and SDRF teams to strengthen rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible help is extended,” he wrote on X.

Monsoon Fury Grips Northern Hills

The cloudburst in Kishtwar is part of a larger pattern of extreme weather events hitting the Himalayan states during this year’s monsoon.

In Uttarakhand, heavy rain and landslides have caused significant damage in several districts. Earlier this week, a cloudburst in Uttarkashi led to flash floods that swept away houses and left a trail of destruction. Dharali village in the Harsil area was particularly hard-hit, as a massive mudslide sent water and debris crashing through the village on August 5. Relief work is ongoing, and a key bridge connecting Uttarkashi to Harsil has been rebuilt to help speed up recovery efforts.

In Chamoli district, a landslide at Nandprayag blocked roads, though local authorities said efforts are underway to clear the debris. “Apart from this stretch, roads across the district are functioning normally,” said district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari.

Himachal Pradesh Reels Under Rain

Himachal Pradesh is also facing severe disruptions due to continuous rainfall, flash floods, and landslides. As of Thursday, at least 396 roads remain closed across various districts, and several homes and vehicles have been damaged. Some villages in Shimla district have been completely cut off.

While no casualties have been reported so far, the rainfall has been intense. Kandaghat recorded 100 mm of rain overnight, with several other areas including Solan, Una, and Shimla receiving between 60–85 mm.

The meteorological department has issued a yellow alert, warning of heavy rain in isolated areas across Himachal Pradesh till August 20.

From Jammu and Kashmir to Himachal and Uttarakhand, this year’s monsoon has once again highlighted the vulnerability of mountain communities to climate-related disasters. Rescue and recovery operations are underway, but the scale of destruction continues to mount.