A cloudburst in the remote Jod Ghati village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district has resulted in the deaths of four people, with six others injured. The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday, August 17, 2025, following intense overnight rainfall.

The cloudburst has severed access to the affected village and caused damage to land and property. The area most affected was in the Rajbagh area. Rescue operations were initiated by a joint team of the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), aided by local volunteers, who faced challenging terrain to reach the scene. Authorities have confirmed the recovery of four bodies and the rescue of six injured individuals, who have been hospitalized.

In addition to the cloudburst, landslides have been reported in Bagard and Changda villages, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Kathua police station, and in the Dilwan-Hutli area of Lakhanpur. Fortunately, these landslides did not cause major damage. The heavy rainfall across the region has led to a significant increase in the water levels of streams and rivers, with the Ujh river nearing the danger mark. The Ujh River experienced flash floods due to the heavy rains.

The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and has urged residents to exercise caution and avoid going near water bodies. Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the "civilian Administration, Military and Paramilitary has swung into action," and that the situation is being continuously monitored.

The incident in Kathua follows a similar recent tragedy in Kishtwar, where a cloudburst claimed at least 60 lives. These events highlight the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the importance of disaster preparedness and risk mitigation strategies.