Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir: At least seven persons were killed and five others injured in two separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday, officials said.

The calamity struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote amid heavy overnight rains in the district.

District Development Commissioner, Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, along with senior civil and police officers, rushed to the scene to supervise the rescue and relief operation.

Five persons lost their lives in Jodh Ghati, which was hit by the cloudburst, snapping access to the village and causing damage to some houses. Two persons died in a landslide triggered by rains at Janglote, officials said.

Five people were evacuated to hospital from Jodh Ghati, where a joint rescue operation by police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local volunteers continues.

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

Rising water levels cause concern

The heavy rains have caused a sharp increase in the level of most water bodies, with the Ujh river flowing near the danger mark, officials said. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and has requested people to stay away from water bodies for safety.

Political response

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the administration to carry out relief, rescue and evacuation measures.

“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.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that the civilian administration, military and paramilitary forces have swung into action to carry out rescue and relief operations.

"Spoke to SSP Kathua Sh. Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloudburst in the Janglote area," Singh wrote on X.

Flash floods in Kishtwar compound crisis

Meanwhile, in Kishtwar district, rescue and relief operations have intensified after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14 left around 55 people dead.

Major General APS Bal, General Officer Commanding Counter Insurgency Force, Delta, said: "...All the security forces are trying their best to rescue as many people as possible from the area affected by the cloudburst. We are also providing relief to the local people who have suffered due to this disaster... The Indian Army was the first to respond to this disaster, and they reached the spot within 45 minutes..."

The Indian Army is leading ground operations, assisted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), police, and the local administration.

Himachal Pradesh reels from flash floods

Multiple flash floods were reported on Sunday in Mandi district at Panarsa, Takoli, and Nagwain along the Mandi-Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway. Highway connectivity was blocked at several points, causing major disruption to traffic.

No human casualties were reported, according to Sachin Hiremath, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mandi. Police are maintaining strict vigil, while restoration work continues to reopen blocked routes.

The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) reported 261 deaths between June 20 and August 16, 2025. Rain-related incidents—including landslides, flash floods, drowning, electrocution, and house collapses—accounted for 136 deaths, while 125 deaths occurred in road accidents.

Mandi district recorded the highest rain-related casualties (26 deaths), followed by Kangra (28), Chamba (10), and Kullu (11). Public and private property damage is estimated at Rs 2,14,457 lakh, with roads, water supply, agriculture, horticulture, and electricity infrastructure severely affected. The Public Works Department reported losses exceeding Rs 1.18 lakh crore, while agriculture and horticulture losses total over Rs 83,000 crore.

Road connectivity is critically impacted, especially on NH-05 (Kinnaur) and NH-305 (Kullu), with villages remaining cut off. Housing damage includes 278 fully damaged homes, 288 partially damaged, and 703 cowsheds destroyed. Over 27,000 animals and birds perished.

Officials emphasised restoration of essential services—roads, power, and water supply—as a top priority, warning residents to remain cautious and follow weather advisories due to continuous rainfall and recurring landslides.