Torrential rains and related natural disasters in Jammu and Kashmir last year claimed 152 lives, injured 179 people, damaged nearly 21,000 structures — mostly residential houses — and led to the death of 1,515 livestock, according to official data.
Data compiled by the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department (DMRRRD) revealed that of the 152 fatalities, 151 were reported from the worst-affected Jammu division and one from the Kashmir valley. Official sources said nearly 100 of the deceased were pilgrims who lost their lives in separate incidents of cloudburst and landslide en route to the Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar district and the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district in August.
A devastating cloudburst struck Chisoti village — the gateway to the Machail Mata shrine — in Kishtwar on August 14, killing 63 people, injuring several others and leaving 30 missing. This was followed by a landslide triggered by incessant rains along the Vaishno Devi route on August 26, which left 32 people dead and 20 injured.
The government said compensation for loss of life, injuries and house damage has been disbursed as per norms under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). During FY 2025–26, Rs 289.39 crore has been released under SDRF, including Rs 200.39 crore for the Jammu division and Rs 89 crore for the Kashmir division to support relief and restoration efforts.
The Jammu division bore the brunt of the devastation, with 3,304 houses fully damaged, 1,818 severely damaged and 11,622 partially damaged. Additionally, 3,531 huts and cattle sheds were destroyed, 1,461 livestock perished and 1,035 tin sheds were lost.
In the Kashmir division, 12 houses were fully damaged, 44 severely damaged and 597 partially damaged. Besides, 71 huts and cattle sheds were damaged and 54 livestock were lost, the government said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs deputed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to assess the damage from September 3 to 7, 2025. A memorandum detailing the losses was submitted to the ministry on November 6, 2025.
At the request of the Union Territory government, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also sent a team of experts to conduct a post-disaster needs assessment between November 17 and 25, 2025. The report has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Based on the IMCT report, the Centre has allocated Rs 1,431 crore to Jammu and Kashmir under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). The funds will be released to implementing departments after detailed flood restoration proposals are examined and consolidated by a committee constituted by the government on February 3.
In addition to the SDRF allocation, Rs 100 crore has been released under the Capex Budget 2025–26 for “Flood Relief Measures,” with Rs 5 crore earmarked for each district to address the immediate impact of the calamity.
Under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), over Rs 207 lakh was provided to Chisoti flood victims in Kishtwar, Rs 45 lakh to landslide-affected families in Surothi and Kala-ban villages in Poonch district, Rs 95 lakh to landslide victims along the Vaishno Devi route in Reasi, Rs 253.25 lakh in Ramban district and Rs 21.50 lakh in Kathua district for relief related to deaths and injuries.
Additionally, under the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), Rs 141 lakh was directly transferred online in respect of 63 deaths and 29 injured persons in the Chisoti cloudburst incident, the government said.
