Kishtwar Cloudburst: Amit Shah, LG, CM Among Other Leaders Express Grief

SRINAGAR: The devastating cloudburst in the Chositi area of Padder in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district has triggered a wave of political reactions, with several leaders expressing grief and urging intensified rescue efforts.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he has spoken with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the tragedy. “The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah posted on X, assuring all possible assistance.

Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 14, 2025

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha conveyed his anguish, extending condolences to bereaved families. “Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF and SDRF officials to strengthen rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected,” he wrote.

Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar. Condolences to bereaved families & prayers for quick recovery of injured. Directed Civil, Police, Army, NDRF & SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue & relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 14, 2025

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post described the situation as “grim”, adding that verified information from the affected region is “slow in arriving.” He said all possible resources were being mobilised and that updates would be shared directly by the government.

I just spoke to the Union Home Minister @AmitShah Sb to brief him about the developing situation in Kishtwar region of Jammu. The news is grim & accurate, verified information from the area hit by the cloud burst is slow in arriving. All possible resources are being mobilised…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 14, 2025

Office of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a post on X informed, “Chief Minister’s office is in touch with the district administration and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken”

Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Kishtwar, extending condolences to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister’s office is in touch with the district administration and all the measures for relief and rescue are being taken.

— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) August 14, 2025

MoS PMO and MP from Udhampur, Dr Jitendra Singh, provided updates on ground conditions. “The road has been washed off and the weather is not helicopter-worthy,” he said, adding that despite logistical challenges, SDRF and NDRF teams were being mobilised. Singh said he was keen to visit the site but was advised to wait until travel became feasible.

Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma.

Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into…

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 14, 2025

Singh had earlier broken the news of the incident, stating he had received an urgent message from the Leader of Opposition and local MLA Sunil Kumar Sharma. He confirmed that massive damage was feared and that administrative teams had already swung into action.

Just now spoke to DC Kishtwar Sh Pankaj Kumar Sharma after receiving an urgent message from LoP #JammuAndKashmir and local MLA Sh Sunil Kumar Sharma.

Massive cloud burst in Chositi area, which could result in substantial casualty. Administration has immediately swung into…

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 14, 2025

Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA of Padder and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, confirmed efforts were underway to deploy helicopters and emergency teams. “I am en route to the location to personally oversee the response,” he posted, calling the situation “devastating”.

Deeply distressed to learn about the devastating cloudburst in the Chositi area of Padder, which may lead to significant loss of life.I have just spoken with LG @manojsinha_ Ji and @DrJitendraSingh Ji to assess the situation. NDRF teams and helicopters are being mobilized to the… pic.twitter.com/dGtOk1yWlM

— Sunil Sharma (@Sunil_SharmaBJP) August 14, 2025

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her condolences and prayed for strength to the affected families.

Extremely tragic news coming from Padder, Kishtwar, where a massive cloudburst has claimed several lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. May God give strength and support to those affected in this difficult time.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 14, 2025

MLA from Banihal Sajjad Shaheen linked the disaster to worsening climate patterns, calling it a “stark reminder of the effects of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.” He urged rescue efforts on a “war footing.”

Extremely pained by reports of 12 casualities in the devastating cloudburst at Chishoti on Machail Mata Yatra route, Kishtwar.
Such extreme weather events, as seen earlier in Uttarakhand, Ramban and other areas are stark reminders of the worsening effects of climate change on our…

— Sajjad Shaheen (@sajjadshaheen) August 14, 2025

Former CM, Ghulam Nabi Azad, urged the government to ensure timely rescue operations and adequate medical support.

Deeply saddened by the cloudburst in Chositi, Kishtwar. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & prayrs for the speedy recovery of the injured. Urge the govt to immediately carry out rescue & relief operations &ensure all possible assistance & treatment for those affected

— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) August 14, 2025

Religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed his concern over the cloudburst in a post on X. He expressed condolences with the bereaved families.

Deeply anguished by the tragic cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar, which has resulted in multiple casualties and widespread distress. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) August 14, 2025

Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari also expressed deep sorrow. Bukhari stated the loss of at least 10 lives was a “tragedy beyond words,” pledging solidarity with the affected.

Shocked and deeply grieved by the news of at least 10 lives lost in a massive cloudburst in Chishoti village, Padder area of Kishtwar district. This is a tragedy beyond words.

In this hour of unimaginable pain and sorrow, Apni Party stands in solidarity with all those who have…

— Altaf Bukhari (@SMAltafBukhari) August 14, 2025

Former BJP state president Ravinder Raina also expressed sadness over “heavy destruction” caused by the cloudburst.

जम्मू कश्मीर के किश्तवाड के मचैल नाले मे बदल फटने से भारी तबाही का समाचार आ रहा है चण्डी माँ मचैल वाली सबकी रक्षा करे !! Deeply saddened to hear about the cloud burst at Village Chashoti in Machail (Kishtwar) pic.twitter.com/LeR7IRwbux

— Ravinder Raina (@RavinderRaina) August 14, 2025

MLA Doda Mehraj Malik expressed “deep shock” over the cloudburst. He called for swift rescue and relief operations.

Deeply Shocked to hear about Tragic Incident of cloudburst in Padder where many Lives have been lost my prayers are with everyone who suffered due to this Tragedy . Request Adm for Quick rescue and Relief.

— Mehraj Malik (@MehrajMalikAAP) August 14, 2025