Buried in Silence: Cloudburst Tragedy Claims Seven Lives in Reasi
By: Javid Amin | 30 Aug 2025
In a heartbreaking incident, seven members of a single family, including five children, lost their lives when their house collapsed under the impact of a landslide triggered by a cloudburst in Mahore subdivision of Reasi district.
The tragedy occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday, when torrential rains loosened soil on a nearby slope, sending mud and debris crashing onto the modest home. The family, asleep at the time, was buried under layers of earth and rubble.
Hours Under Debris
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Mahore, Waqar Yunus, confirmed the deaths and said rescue efforts were mounted immediately after locals alerted authorities.
“The victims remained buried for nearly three to four hours. By the time the bodies were retrieved, none had survived,” Yunus said.
Children Among Victims
The dead include five children aged 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 years, making the loss even more devastating for the remote mountain community.
Distressing visuals from the site show villagers wading through mud and rubble with bare hands, retrieving the bodies one by one. Locals said they only became aware of the collapse at dawn, after which they rushed to help.
Cloudbursts and Landslides in Reasi
Officials believe a cloudburst in the higher reaches of Mahore triggered the landslide. The Reasi region, nestled in the Shivalik and Pir Panjal ranges, has seen a surge in rain-induced landslides and flash floods in recent years, putting mountain hamlets at grave risk.
Fragile Mountain Homes
Experts point out that mud and stone houses, common in Reasi’s hilly villages, are highly vulnerable during intense rains. With slopes denuded of trees and fragile soil structures, even short bursts of extreme rainfall can prove catastrophic.
Voices from the Ground
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Rashid Ahmed, a local villager:
“We woke up to screams and rushed to the spot, but the house was gone. By the time we dug through, the children were lifeless.” -
A senior official, District Administration Reasi:
“We are assessing the damage and will provide immediate relief and compensation to the family’s surviving relatives.”
Rising Concern Over Extreme Weather
The Reasi incident underscores how climate change-driven extreme weather events are intensifying across Jammu and Kashmir. In recent weeks:
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Ramban witnessed cloudburst-related casualties.
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Rajouri and Poonch saw multiple landslide-triggered road blockages.
Environmental experts warn that deforestation, unplanned construction, and lack of slope stabilization are worsening the risks for mountain communities.
A Community in Mourning
The small village where the family lived has been plunged into grief. Neighbours gathered in large numbers as the last rites were performed, with many describing the incident as a “tragedy that wiped out a generation.”
Key Facts at a Glance
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Incident: House collapse due to landslide triggered by cloudburst
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Location: Mahore subdivision, Reasi district, J&K
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Time: Around 3 a.m., Saturday
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Casualties: 7 dead (5 children, 2 adults)
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Rescue: Bodies recovered after 3–4 hours
