Five feared killed in Jammu and Kashmir following cloudbursts and landslides

Five Feared Dead as Cloudbursts and Landslides Devastate Jammu and Kashmir

At least five people are feared dead after sudden cloudbursts and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. Rescue operations are in full swing as authorities work to locate missing individuals and provide aid to affected families. The worst-impacted areas include the remote villages of Kishtwar and Doda, where flash floods and debris flows destroyed homes and blocked critical roads. Among the victims were two children, while several others suffered injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.  

Local residents described scenes of chaos as torrential rains caused rivers to swell, sending water and mud crashing through settlements. “The downpour was unrelenting, and within hours, the hillsides gave way. We barely had time to escape,” said Mohammad Rafiq, a survivor from one of the affected villages. Disaster response teams, supported by the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are conducting search-and-rescue missions, though difficult terrain and ongoing rainfall have slowed efforts. Helicopters have been deployed to airlift stranded villagers, while medical teams provide emergency care.  

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of more heavy rain in the coming days, raising concerns about additional landslides. Officials have advised residents in high-risk zones to evacuate to safer areas. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged full government support for relief and rehabilitation.  

Environmental experts point to climate change as a contributing factor to the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events in the Himalayan region. “These disasters highlight the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure,” said Dr. Anjali Sharma, a climate scientist. As the region grapples with the aftermath, the tragedy underscores the growing threat posed by unpredictable weather patterns and the need for long-term solutions to protect vulnerable communities.