Kishtwar, Indian-administered Kashmir — On August 14, a sudden cloudburst and flash flood turned an entire Himalayan valley into a disaster zone. Within minutes, torrents of water and debris flattened dozens of homes, killed more than 60 people, injured hundreds, and left around 250 missing. Washed-out roads and collapsed bridges have cut off entire hamlets, as more than 1,000 rescuers battle swollen rivers, landslides, and relentless rain to reach survivors.

Rescue teams armed with shovels and earthmovers continued their search on Saturday for people trapped under boulders and debris. The mountain village of Chasoti was among the hardest hit, as gushing mudslides and floodwaters swept away pilgrims who had gathered for lunch before trekking uphill to a popular religious site. This was the second major disaster to strike the Himalayas in just over a week, underscoring the region’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather.