Seven people lost their lives and five others were injured after flash floods and landslides struck Ghati village and nearby areas in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday morning. Officials said the calamity was triggered by heavy rain in the region between 3:30 and 4 am.
While five deaths were reported from Ghati, two more occurred in Janglote due to a landslide. Among the injured, six were rescued and shifted to the hospital. Authorities fear that a family may still be buried under debris in Juthana Jod, close to Ghati.
Access Cut Off, Villages Stranded
The heavy rainfall snapped road access to Ghati after suspected cloudburst-like conditions triggered flash floods. Rivers in the area swelled dangerously, cutting off several routes. Water entered the industrial area, a Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, and even the Rajbagh police station, causing massive waterlogging.
Inspector Ajay Singh from Rajbagh police station said, “Advance parties have reached the area.” District police chief Shobhit Saxena clarified that “There was no cloudburst, but there were flash floods. We have also informed the army; they are on a standby.”
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Hon’ble Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah Ji on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police & administration.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 17, 2025
Rescue Operations in Full Swing
A joint team of police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed to Ghati village to join locals in ongoing rescue efforts. Forensic teams also reached the scene to assess the situation. Bodies of four victims were recovered early in the day, while six others were saved from under debris and rushing waters.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who represents the constituency, said on X, “The civilian Administration, Military, and Paramilitary have swung into action. The situation is being continuously monitored.”
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
Army, NDRF on Alert After Kishtwar Tragedy
This disaster comes just days after another tragedy in Kishtwar district, where flash floods triggered by a cloudburst claimed more than 60 lives, most of them pilgrims. The Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, Border Roads Organisation, and local administration are already engaged in large-scale operations in Kishtwar and remain on alert across the Union Territory.
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Major General APS Bal told ANI, “We are also providing relief to the local people who have suffered due to this disaster.”
Heavy Rainfall Raises River Levels
According to officials, continuous heavy rainfall over the past few days caused the Sahar Khad and Ujh rivers to swell. It was the Ujh River that triggered flash floods early Sunday. Landslides were also reported in Bagard and Changda villages under Kathua police station and Lakhanpur’s Dilwan-Hutli area, though no major damage was recorded there.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives and briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the situation. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed his condolences.
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