Kashmir flash floods kill at least 56

Flash floods caused by a cloudburst devastate a remote Himalayan village in Kashmir, with rescue teams pulling hundreds to safety as officials warn of more rain.

Flash floods in Indian-controlled Kashmir kill at least 56

Flash floods triggered by a cloudburst swept through Chositi village in the Kishtwar district, killing at least 56 people and leaving many others missing as rescue teams comb through mud and debris.

Officials say rescue teams saved more than 300 people, but the missing toll could rise as debris blocks roads and streams swell. The disaster has disrupted a local Hindu pilgrimage route that starts nearby and was suspended as relief operations intensify and teams reach secluded homes and streams clogged with rubble.

The scene in Chositi highlights a growing climate risk in the Himalayas: short, intense rain events that overwhelm small communities and slow relief. Terrain and limited access compound the challenge for rescuers, and the incident tests local capacity to coordinate amid ongoing heavy weather.

Experts warn such events may increase with warming temperatures, especially where rapid development presses into fragile mountain zones. The episode also raises questions about balancing infrastructure investments, such as hydropower projects, with ecological safeguards and disaster readiness in a region with a history of security sensitivities.

Highlights

Disaster response will shape future planning for remote communities