A sudden cloudburst struck a remote village in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, leaving at least four people dead and six others injured. The incident occurred in Jod Ghati village of Rajbagh area, officials confirmed on Sunday (Aug 17).
According to authorities, the cloudburst triggered flash flooding and cut off road access to the hamlet, complicating rescue efforts. Portions of agricultural land were also damaged. After several hours of struggle, a combined team of the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) managed to reach the affected spot and joined local volunteers in search and rescue operations.
“Four bodies have been recovered so far. Six others were pulled out alive with injuries and shifted to nearby hospitals,” officials said, adding that the operation was still underway to assess the full scale of damage.
The cloudburst was accompanied by heavy rains that also caused landslides in Bagard and Changda villages under the jurisdiction of Kathua police station. Another landslide was reported in the Dilwan-Hutli stretch of the Lakhanpur police station area. Fortunately, there were no reports of major loss of life or property from these locations.
Officials said the rains had swollen streams and nallahs across the district. The Ujh river, a major tributary that flows through Kathua before joining the Ravi in Punjab, was flowing close to the danger mark, raising concerns of flooding in low-lying areas. The district administration has urged residents to remain alert and avoid venturing near water bodies until the situation stabilises.
The Kathua incident comes just days after a massive cloudburst in Chisoti village of Kishtwar district on August 14. That disaster struck at 12:25 pm, unleashing flash floods that devastated the last motorable village on the route to the Machail Mata temple. At least 60 people were killed, more than 100 were injured, and 82 others – including 81 pilgrims and one CISF personnel – remain missing.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, accompanied by senior officials, visited the Kishtwar site on Saturday to review rescue and relief operations. He interacted with affected families and directed departments to coordinate closely for rehabilitation, restoration of services, and comprehensive support to victims. Rescue teams from the NDRF, SDRF, police, and security forces remain deployed in the area.
The back-to-back incidents have heightened concerns over extreme weather events across Jammu and Kashmir during the monsoon season, underscoring the vulnerability of hilly regions to sudden cloudbursts and flash floods.
Kathua, located in the southernmost part of Jammu and Kashmir, shares its borders with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and is known as the “Gateway to J&K.” While Lakhanpur serves as a major entry point for travellers entering the Union Territory, large swathes of Kathua remain hilly, forested, and sparsely populated. These areas are particularly prone to flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides during monsoon months.
Cloudbursts are sudden, highly localised rainfall events that can release over 100 mm of rain within an hour. In mountainous terrain, the deluge cascades into valleys, causing flash floods, mudslides, and widespread damage. Experts believe climate change has intensified these events in the Himalayas, leading to greater frequency and severity.
Kathua’s Jod Ghati, where the latest tragedy struck, is a remote settlement with limited connectivity. Road access is often disrupted during heavy rains, delaying emergency response. Residents in such areas largely rely on their own preparedness until outside help arrives.
The Kathua district administration said it is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with disaster management agencies. Evacuation plans are being prepared in vulnerable pockets, especially along the Ujh river. Relief camps may be set up if the water level continues to rise.
Officials urged villagers not to risk crossing swollen nallahs and rivers. “The heavy rainfall has increased water discharge in most streams. We advise the public to stay away from water bodies until further notice,” an official advisory stated.
Meanwhile, local farmers expressed concerns about repeated damage to crops and fields. Agriculture remains a primary source of livelihood in Kathua, and recurring extreme weather events are increasingly threatening income security.
(With inputs from PTI)
Q1: Where did the Kathua cloudburst occur?
The cloudburst struck Jod Ghati village in Kathua district’s Rajbagh area, a remote settlement in Jammu and Kashmir.
Q2: How many casualties were reported in the Kathua cloudburst?
At least four people were killed and six others injured, with rescue operations continuing to assess further damage.
Q3: What challenges did rescue teams face in Kathua?
Flash floods and blocked road access made it difficult for police, SDRF, and local volunteers to reach Jod Ghati quickly.
Q4: Has Kathua experienced cloudbursts before?
Yes, Kathua is vulnerable to flash floods and cloudbursts due to its hilly terrain. The incident comes days after a major tragedy in Kishtwar.
Q5: Why are cloudbursts becoming more frequent in Jammu and Kashmir?
Experts suggest climate change is intensifying extreme weather in the Himalayas, leading to more frequent and severe cloudbursts and flash floods.
