A sudden and massive cloudburst triggered deadly flash floods in the remote mountain village of Chashoti in the Kishtwar district of Indian-administered Kashmir, killing at least 46 people as of August 14, 2025. The disaster struck amid an ongoing Hindu pilgrimage to the Machail Mata shrine, washing away a large community kitchen where over 100 pilgrims had gathered, along with vehicles, homes, and other structures.
Rescue efforts by the National Disaster Response Force, police, army, and local volunteers have so far saved over 160 people from the floodwaters, though many remain missing, and the death toll is expected to rise. Among the deceased are two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who were stationed in the area.
The village, located over 200 kilometers from Kashmir's main urban center Srinagar, suffered extensive damage with homes and vehicles swept away by the torrents. Approximately 50 critically injured individuals have been treated in local hospitals.
Authorities have suspended the pilgrimage and are bolstering search and rescue operations despite challenging access due to damaged roads and difficult terrain. The government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is closely monitoring the situation and has pledged all possible assistance to the victims.
This incident marks the second major flood disaster in the region within a few weeks, underscoring the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the Himalayas, which experts link to climate change.
The tragic floods highlight the vulnerability of remote communities and exacerbate humanitarian concerns in the mountainous areas of Kashmir as rescue and recovery operations continue.