Heavy rain in Kashmir leaves 46 dead and 200 missing

A cloudburst in the Himalayan region kills dozens and leaves hundreds unaccounted for, testing rescue networks near a pilgrimage route.

Heavy rain in Kashmir leaves 46 dead and more than 200 missing

A cloudburst swept through Chasoti town in Kishtwar district on Thursday around 11 30 am local time. Officials say the floods washed away a community kitchen and a security post set up on the Machail Mata pilgrimage route, leaving many pilgrims at a lunch stop stranded. The incident follows another disaster in Uttarakhand last week that affected mountain communities.

Rescue teams from the army and air force were deployed, and local authorities said search and rescue operations are underway as weather conditions complicate the mission. The Indian Meteorological Department defines a cloudburst as a sudden downpour of more than 100 mm in an hour, and the Srinagar weather office warned of further heavy showers and possible mudslides in the region.

The quick shift from pilgrimage calm to crisis shows how disaster risk in the Himalayas is shaped by terrain and weather. When roads end at towns like Chasoti, people rely on fragile infrastructure and narrow windows for rescue. The episode echoes a broader pattern of climate driven extreme events that strain local budgets and response capacity.

Policy makers face a tough test how to improve warning systems marshal rapid response teams and communicate clearly with communities in rugged areas. The looming question is whether relief funding and infrastructure maintenance can keep pace with the rising intensity of storms in this part of the world.

Highlights

Continued weather monitoring will shape the next steps in relief and rebuilding.