Mon Aug 18 01:19:24 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Heavy rains and cloudbursts in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India have resulted in the tragic loss of 68 lives and injuries to 122 people over the past four days. The worst affected areas include Kishtwar and Kathua districts. The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the Jammu region on Monday, August 18, 2025, due to the inclement weather and warnings of further heavy rains. The Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory forecasting heavy rains and thundershowers, warning of potential cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. Rescue efforts are ongoing to locate missing individuals, particularly pilgrims en route to the Machail Mata temple.
**News Article:**
**Jammu and Kashmir Grapples with Deadly Cloudbursts, Schools Closed**
**Jammu, August 18, 2025:** A wave of deadly cloudbursts and torrential rains has struck the Jammu and Kashmir region of India, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming the lives of 68 people, with 122 injured. The hardest-hit areas are the Kishtwar and Kathua districts, where the cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides.
In response to the severe weather and warnings of continued heavy rainfall, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the Jammu region for Monday, August 18th. The order was issued by the Director of School Education, citing concerns for student safety.
The Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory predicting heavy rains and thundershowers for the region from August 17th to 19th. The advisory specifically warns of the increased risk of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides in vulnerable areas. Districts on high alert include Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, as well as parts of Kashmir.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred on August 14th, when a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Chisoti village in Kishtwar, a key route for pilgrims heading to the Machail Mata temple. Sixty-one people perished in that event alone, and more than 116 were injured. Eighty-two people, including 81 pilgrims and one CISF personnel, remain missing.
On August 17th, two separate cloudburst and landslide incidents in the Kathua district resulted in the deaths of seven more individuals and injured five.
Rescue efforts are ongoing in the affected areas as authorities struggle to reach those stranded and search for the missing. The inclement weather continues to hamper these efforts.
First Piper 