Devastating rainfall and flood-related incidents across Jammu and Kashmir in 2025 claimed 152 lives, left 179 people injured and caused extensive damage to homes, livestock and infrastructure, according to official data.
Figures released by the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department (DMRRRD) show that Jammu division bore the brunt of the calamity, accounting for 151 of the fatalities, while one death was reported from the Kashmir Valley.
Among the most tragic incidents were separate cloudburst and landslide events in August that together killed around 100 pilgrims. In Kishtwar district, a cloudburst in Chisoti village on August 14 claimed 63 lives and left several injured, with 30 people initially reported missing. Days later, on August 26, a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall along the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Reasi district killed 32 people and injured 20 others.
The scale of destruction to property was significant. Nearly 21,000 structures were damaged across the Union Territory, the majority of them residential homes. In Jammu division alone, 3,304 houses were completely destroyed, 1,818 were severely damaged and 11,622 suffered partial damage. Authorities also reported the destruction of 3,531 huts and cattle sheds, along with the death of 1,461 livestock and damage to over 1,000 tin sheds.
In the Kashmir division, 12 houses were fully destroyed, 44 severely damaged and 597 partially affected, in addition to losses to huts, cattle sheds and livestock.
To support relief and reconstruction, the government released ₹289.39 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) during 2025-26 ₹200.39 crore for Jammu division and ₹89 crore for Kashmir division. Compensation has been disbursed to families of the deceased, injured persons and those whose homes were damaged, in accordance with SDRF norms.
Central assessment teams from the Ministry of Home Affairs visited affected districts between September 3 and 7, 2025. Following evaluations by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), detailed reports were submitted to the Centre.
Based on these assessments, the Union government approved ₹1,431 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for restoration works. The funds will be released after submission of detailed reconstruction proposals by the concerned departments. Additionally, ₹100 crore was allocated under the 2025-26 capital expenditure budget for flood relief measures, with ₹5 crore earmarked for each district. Further assistance was extended through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
The data underscores the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events, even as reconstruction efforts continue across affected districts.