31 Persons Still Missing In Padder Cloudburst, Jammu Kashmir Govt

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said that it has provided extensive relief and rehabilitation assistance to the victims of the August 14, 2025 cloudburst that devastated Chasoti village in Kishtwar district, triggering flash floods and sweeping away homes, vehicles, and pilgrimage infrastructure along the Machail Yatra route.

Responding to a question by MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma, the Government said that the sudden and intense downpour led to catastrophic flooding and debris flow in the remote mountain settlement, which is the last motorable point on the route of the annual Machail Mata Yatra. Many of the victims were local residents and pilgrims taking part in the yatra.

The Government said that large-scale search and rescue operations were immediately launched by the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the local administration. The Machail Mata Yatra was suspended in the aftermath of the disaster.

A total of 19 houses were affected in Chasoti village (Padder), including 16 fully and three partially damaged structures. Two of the affected households were already intended beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). Three houses have already been provided compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Under SDRF norms, compensation has been sanctioned at Rs 1,30,000 for fully damaged residential houses, Rs 6,500 for partially damaged houses, and Rs 5,000 for loss of clothing and utensils. The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has provided Rs 1,00,000 for fully damaged and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged houses.

The Government informed that 63 identified and three unidentified individuals were killed, with 31 people reported missing and 13 others injured. Besides, five limbs were also recovered. Compensation under SDRF has been fixed at Rs 4,00,000 for each death, Rs 16,000 for major or serious injuries, and Rs 5,400 for minor injuries requiring hospitalisation. From the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Rs 2,00,000 has been sanctioned per death, Rs 1,00,000 for major injuries, Rs 50,000 for minor injuries requiring hospitalisation, and Rs 25,000 for minor injuries treated on first aid. Assistance under the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) includes Rs 2,00,000 per death and Rs 50,000 for major injuries.

The Minister in charge of the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department said that the Government intends to rebuild the houses lost in the calamity under PMAY-G guidelines. The Union Territory administration has submitted a proposal for 5,061 damaged houses—including those affected in Chasoti village—to the Ministry of Rural Development for sanction of a special package. The Ministry, through its communication dated September 26, 2025, has approved targets for 5,061 houses under a special project of PMAY-G for households affected by natural calamities.

Accordingly, the damaged houses in Chasoti village are being registered on the Awaas Plus 2024 Portal for early restoration. So far, six families have been surveyed, while the remaining will be covered once the Awaas Plus application becomes fully functional.