Jammu and Kashmir: 7 dead, many injured as heavy rain triggers flash flood in Kathua

Jammu: At least seven people have died and several suffered injuries after cloudburst triggered flash floods early morning on Sunday in Rajbagh-Ghati area of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials said that flash flood triggered early this morning due to overnight heavy rain and cloudburst in the Kathua district.

Seven people have died, and many have been injured in parts of the district due to the tragedy, they said.

“There are reports of cloudbursts in the upper reaches of the Ghati area,” they said, adding that heavy rain caused flash floods, causing damage to houses and other infrastructural structures.

Moreover, railway tracks and stretches of the Jammu–Kathua National Highway in Janglot and adjoining areas have also suffered damage, officials said.

They said, "the roads were waterlogged and the flood water has also entered many houses in the old city of Kathua."

They added that teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police led by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kathua, Rahul Charak along with SDRF and CRPF men, volunteers have reached the spot and launched a massive rescue operation in Dilwane area of Bhangar village of Janglote where mother-daughter have died while police, Army along with SDRF have also been pressed into service and rescue operations are launched to reach out the affected families in Jode area of Rajbagh in Kathua where five people including three of a family died in the tragedy.

The deceased were identified as Renu Devi, 39, wife of Parveen Singh and her daughter Radhika, nine years, residents of village Bhangar, Janglot, Kathua, Surmu Din, 30, his sons Fanu (6), Shedu (5), Tahu (2), son of Habib Din, Zulfan, (15) daughter of Bashir Ahmed, residents of Jode, Ghati, tehsil Rajbagh, Kathua.

The injured were identified as Karoom Begum, 26, Rafia Begum (4), Arshea Begum (6), Parveen Akhtar, (8), Gogli Begum (26) and Nageena (3 months).

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah posted on X, “Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. Assured every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K.”

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Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. Assured every support from the Modi…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 17, 2025 >

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh posted on X, “Helicopter services have been arranged for shifting the injured to appropriate hospitals. Six injured have been airlifted for hospitalisation in Mamoon, Pathankot, which was found to be a relatively nearer destination.”

“DIG Police, Shiv Kumar Sharma, along with his team, is camping at the spot and is in constant touch with me. Further assistance will be arranged, as and when required,” he posted.

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#Kathua Update:

Helicopter services have been arranged for shifting the injured to appropriate hospitals.

6 injured have been airlifted for hospitalisation in Mamoon, Pathankot, which was found to be relatively nearer destination.

DIG Police, Sh Shiv Kumar Sharma, along…

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 17, 2025 >

Earlier, he said that he spoke to SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area. Casualties were reported and in addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected.

The civilian Administration, Military and Paramilitary have swung into action, and the situation is being continuously monitored, he said, and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that he spoke to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the ongoing rescue and relief operations in rain-triggered landslide-affected areas of Kathua District.

The Lieutenant Governor has expressed his grief and anguish over the loss of lives in the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

He directed the senior Civil and police officials to coordinate and execute rescue and aid efforts in the affected areas and ensure on-site medical assistance.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police and administration.

“I have directed the Senior Civil and Police Officials to coordinate and execute rescue and aid efforts in the affected areas and ensure on-site medical assistance. My thoughts are with bereaved families, and I am praying for the swift recovery of those injured,” LG Sinha said.

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I have directed the Senior Civil & Police Officials to coordinate and execute rescue and aid efforts in the affected areas and ensure on-site medical assistance. My thoughts are with bereaved families and praying for the swift recovery of those injured.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 17, 2025 >

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to carry out relief, rescue and evacuation measures to ensure the safety of people in cloudburst and landslide-hit Kathua district.

Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and destruction caused by heavy rains and landslides in parts of Kathua, including Janglote, Juthana and Ghatti.

Calling it a moment of profound grief, the Minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and healing for those affected.

He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

Rana assured the people that the Government stands firmly with the affected families in this difficult time.

He confirmed that rescue and relief operations are in full swing and that every possible assistance is being extended to the affected families.

“Indian Army columns on the ground in Kathua — rescuing families, giving hope, food and care after the Cloudburst,” Rising Corps posted on X.

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#IndianArmy Columns on the ground in #Kathua — rescuing families, giving hope, food & care after the #Cloudburst. @adgpi@westerncomd_IA@prodefencejammu@JmuKmrPolice pic.twitter.com/Z5K0uriQ7b

— Rising Star Corps_IA (@RisingStarCorps) August 17, 2025 >

Meanwhile, the MeT Department has predicted low to moderate flash flood risk in Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Udhampur till August 18.

The Meteorological Department said that there will be heavy rains for the next three days across the Jammu and Kashmir region.

There is a high risk of landslides in hilly areas and even possibilities of cloudbursts in vulnerable zones, officials said.

In an advisory, people are asked to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and avoid going near water bodies.