J-K: 7 Killed As Cloudburst, Landslide Hit Kathua, Rescue Ops Underway

The cloudburst struck Jod Ghati in Kathua's Rajbagh area, cutting off access to the remote village and damaging land and property. Four people were killed and six others were injured in the cloudburst.

Damaged road following a cloudburst, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua on Sunday, August 17.

Source : PTI

Days after cloudburst wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar, heavy rain triggered another cloudburst and landslide in the Kathua district on Sunday. As many as seven people were killed and five others injured in the two separate incidents in the district. 

Five people were killed as cloudburst hit a remote village in the district, burrying houses under rubble and floodwaters. Two others lost their lives in a landslide in Janglote. Both incidents took place during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

The cloudburst struck Jod Ghati in Kathua's Rajbagh, following heavy overnight rains in the district. It cut off access to the remote village and damaged land and property. Rescue operations are underway. 

VIDEO | Kathua: Relief and rescue operations are underway after seven people lost their lives in rain-triggered landslides in Kathua district. DC Kathua Rajesh Sharma said, “Heavy rainfall has caused significant damage in Kathua, and unfortunately, we have also lost lives. Five… pic.twitter.com/5VHDfzqSkZ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2025

A portion of the Jammu Pathankot National Highway was damaged by debris and a part of the National Highway was also closed. 

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: A cloud burst incident took place in Kauthua's Janglote area. 4 casualties reported: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

(Visuals from the area en route to Kauthua's Janglote area) pic.twitter.com/bUJFq9qJK0

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2025

Following the cloudburst, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh spoke to SSP Kathua and said that the situation is being continuously monitored. In a post on X, the Union Minister said that the cloudburst damaged railway track, national highway, and Kathua police station. 

"Spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area. 4 Casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected," Singh wrote in a post on X.

VIDEO | Kathua: At least 4 dead and 6 injured after a cloudburst struck Jod Ghati village in Rajbagh during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

(Source: Third Party)

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/zBCZb3LUtt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2025

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

Spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area.

4 Casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to Railway track, National Highway while Police Station Kathua has been affected.

The civilian Administration,…

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

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the loss of lives in the Kathua cloudburst. He ordered immediate relief measures for those affected. 

"Chief Minister has expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and damage caused by landslides in several parts of Kathua, including Jodh Khad and Juthana, which claimed four lives and left many injured.“He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and assured all necessary assistance,”  the office of the chief minister said on X.

Meanwhile, LG Manoj Sinha also took to X to express grief and stated that he briefed Home Minister Amit Shah on the rescue and relief operations.

"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 & administration," he wrote on X.

Officials said that landslides also hit Bagard and Changda villages under the jurisdiction of Kathua police station and Dilwan-Hutli in Lakhanpur police station area. However, there was no major report of damage.

The heavy rain in the region has led to a sugnifcant increase in the level in most water bodies with the Ujh river already flowing near the danger mark.

Bodies of four persons were recovered and the six injured were rescued and shifted to hospital. The district administration is closely watching the situation and have urged people to stay away from water bodies for their safety.