Flash Floods Devastate Himalayan Village in Kashmir and Trigger Widespread Disaster Across Northern China

Flash floods have claimed over 60 lives. Locals say over 500 have been injured

At least 60 people have died and around 100 more remain missing after sudden flash floods and mudslides tore through the remote Himalayan village of Chasoti in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The disaster struck around lunchtime on Thursday when torrential rains triggered devastating mudflows that destroyed buildings, swept away vehicles, and ripped through the main community kitchen where more than 200 pilgrims were gathered. A nearby security post, cars, and motorbikes were also destroyed.

Rescue teams were immediately deployed, with army and air force units assisting in search and rescue operations. Around 200 people were pulled to safety, including at least 50 who sustained serious injuries. Rescue workers battled debris and rising water levels as terrified pilgrims struggled to escape the surging floodwaters. Local resident Abdul Majeed Bichoo, 75, said he saw eight bodies recovered from the mud and described the village as a “sight of complete devastation from all sides,” adding that he had never witnessed such destruction in his life.

A building damaged in flash floods caused by torrential rains in Indian controlled Kashmir

The pilgrimage, which began in July and was scheduled to end on September 5, has been suspended. Officials confirmed the flooding was caused by a cloudburst — an intense burst of rainfall exceeding 100mm in an hour — which is becoming more frequent in the Himalayas. Regional leaders indicated that verified information from the flood-stricken zone has been slow to arrive, while national officials said the situation is being closely monitored and expressed sympathy for those affected.

The tragedy in Kashmir follows a similar deluge just over a week ago in India’s Uttarakhand state, where an entire village was wiped out by severe flooding.

People gather on a road following sudden heavy rain in Kishtwar

Meanwhile, record-breaking rainfall in northern China has killed at least 38 people and forced more than 80,000 residents from their homes. Torrential downpours have inundated Beijing and surrounding regions in what locals describe as a “once in a hundred years” event. Video footage captured streets transformed into swollen rivers, floodwaters engulfing homes, highways, and vehicles, and uprooted trees littering devastated communities.

Beijing’s Miyun district recorded the highest flood levels since the construction of the Miyun Reservoir in 1959. Neighboring districts Huairou and Fangshan were also severely impacted, and more than 130 villages suffered power outages. In Tianjin, more than 10,000 residents were evacuated, while in Hebei province a landslide near Chengde killed eight people and left four others missing.

Homes and cars were all swept away by the muddy waters

Residents across affected regions reported on social media that they were unable to contact loved ones in the mountainous Xinglong county. Chinese officials have urged evacuation from high-risk zones and emphasized preparations for worst-case scenarios, while 350 million yuan (approximately £42 million) has been allocated for disaster relief across nine regions and an additional 200 million yuan specifically for Beijing.