4 Rescued From Kinnaur Flash Floods As Rescue Ops Continue In Kishtwar: 60 Killed; Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia
Over 1000 people were at the spot of the cloudburst at Kishtwar while 4 victims have been safely rescued in Kinnaur (Image courtesy: RNA)
Just as serene as they look during monsoons, mountains become equally ruthless. Uttarkashi, Kinnaur and Kishtwar are the most recent example of the same. The 3 mountainous regions saw cloudburst-triggered flash floods sweeping away everything in just a few seconds.
As rescue operations by Indian Army joined by other teams continue in Uttarakhand’s Dharali, recent cloudbursts in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar and Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur also brought to fore nature’s fury, with people feared trapped under rubble and debris.
Kinnaur flash floods: What is the latest update on flash floods?
On August 14, Indian Army’s Central Command shared that a sudden flash flood at Hojis Lungpa Nala, triggered by a cloudburst in Rishi Dogri Valley, left 4 civilians stranded and 1 injured across Sutlej River, in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The waters also washed away the CPWD Camp.
Officials further shared that 2 small bridges in Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti were washed away, and over 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed across the state. In a prompt response, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief team of Tripeaks Brigade reached them.
As per the latest update by the Central Command, Surya warriors safely rescued all 4 civilians stranded across Sutlej River due to flash floods in Hojis Lungpa Nala, after a grueling 44-hour operation battling darkness, fierce currents & unstable terrain. LDHA drones sustained them and they were brought home safely using ‘Flying Fox’.
🚨 Mission Accomplished : Kinnaur 🚨
Courage, precision & commitment in action
After a grueling 44 hrs operation battling darkness, fierce currents & unstable terrain, #SuryaWarriors of #TripeaksBrigade safely rescued all four civilians stranded across Sutlej River due to… https://t.co/y6L0z7roqC pic.twitter.com/EMOMjrBUMR
— SuryaCommand_IA (@suryacommand) August 15, 2025
No deaths have been reported so far.
Kishtwar Cloudburst: How are the rescue ops going?
After Kinnaur, another cloudburst was reported in J&K’s Kishtwar, which caused devasting flash floods, on the way for the Machail Mata Yatra. Heavy waterflow swept through a parking lot, langar (community kitchen), and a CRPF camp in the area, leaving several people trapped.
A large-scale rescue operation is underway by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Army and local volunteers.
As per the latest updates, at least 60 people including 2 CISF personnel have lost their lives in the Kishtwar cloudburst with over 100 getting injured. According to CM Omar Abdullah, more than 500 people are still trapped under the debris, and some officials are saying the number may exceed 1000.
CISF in Rescue Operations at Kishtwar Cloudburst (J&K)#CISF personnel of the 7th RB, Kishtwar Unit, demonstrated courage and fortitude by participating in high-risk rescue operations alongside the #NDRF, #SDRF, local police and other forces during the recent #Cloudburst in… pic.twitter.com/fF6rRZQMdY
— CISF (@CISFHQrs) August 15, 2025
On August 14, a cloudburst struck Chisoti village, which is the last motorable point en route to the Machail Mata shrine, at around 12.25 pm. The flash floods washed away a makeshift market, a community kitchen (langar) set up for pilgrims, and a police security post.
CM @OmarAbdullah visits Chasoti, #Kishtwar to assess cloudburst damage that left 60 dead, 100+ injured & many missing. @adgpi briefs him on ops using VR headset. Rescue continues with Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police & locals; IAF helicopters on standby. @airnewsalerts @diprjk pic.twitter.com/4VRzjVzPK0
— Akashvani News Jammu (@radionews_jammu) August 16, 2025
CM Abdullah visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar on Saturday (August 16) and met affected families. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and damage and said the Government stands firmly with the people in this hour of grief. As a mark of solidarity and immediate succor, he announced ex-gratia relief from the CM’s Relief Fund.
- Rs 2 lakh for each deceased.
- Rs 1 lakh for severely injured, Rs 50,000 for minor injuries.
- Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures.
- Rs 50,000 for severely damaged structures.
- Rs 25,000 for partially damaged structures.
Instructions were also issued for immediate restoration of the affected infrastructure in the area.
