A cloudburst and associated landslides in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in at least seven fatalities, including five children, on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The incidents occurred in the early hours of the morning, triggered by heavy overnight rains.
The hardest-hit area was Jodh Ghati village in Rajbagh, where a cloudburst struck, cutting off access to the village and damaging homes and property. Landslides were also reported in Janglote, Bagard, Changda, and Dilwan-Hutli areas. The rise in the water level of various streams and rivers, including the Ujh River, which is flowing close to the danger mark, is also a cause for concern.
Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the Army, police, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working to evacuate stranded families, provide food, and extend medical aid. Helicopters have been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts, airlifting injured people to hospitals in Mamoon, Pathankot. Six people have been airlifted to hospitals. The Army has also deployed columns to help with rescuing families and providing essential supplies.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives and has directed the administration to intensify rescue and evacuation measures. He also announced ex-gratia relief for the families of the deceased and injured from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, in addition to support from the SDRF. ₹2 lakh will be given to the family of each deceased, ₹1 lakh for those severely injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. Furthermore, ₹1 lakh has been sanctioned for fully damaged houses, ₹50,000 for severely damaged houses, and ₹25,000 for partially damaged houses.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh is closely monitoring the situation and has stated that the civilian administration, military, and paramilitary forces are assisting in rescue and relief operations. He has also arranged helicopter services to transport the injured to hospitals.
The cloudburst in Kathua occurred just days after a similar incident in the Kishtwar district, where over 50 people died.
Rail services in the Kathua district have been disrupted due to heavy rains, with water flowing above the danger level at Bridge-43 between Kathua and Budhi. The Ujh river is flowing close to the danger mark.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as rainfall exceeding 100 mm in one hour. While flash floods and landslides were reported, confirmation of the incident as a cloudburst is pending.
