Video From Kishtwar Going Viral As The Recent Landslide Near Vaishno Devi Temple.

On 26 August 2025, a landslide triggered by heavy rain claimed 35 lives and left several others injured along the Vaishno Devi Yatra route in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra. Against this backdrop, a video of vehicles, houses and other structures along with a few people under debris went viral on social media claiming it was from the recent landslide near Vaishno Devi Temple.

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However, as we investigated, we came to know that the claim was misleading. The viral video predates the recent Vaishno Devi Landslide. Here’s the fact check.

Fact Check 

We started our investigation by taking screenshots from the viral video and conducting a reverse image search. This led us to an unverified YouTube channel where the viral video was uploaded on 14 August 2025, according to which the video shows a landslide in Kishtwar, Jammu. 

The landslide near the Vaishno Devi Temple occurred on 26 August. This makes it clear that the video predates the recent landslide near the Vaishno Devi Temple.

Moving forward, we conducted a relevant keyword search. This led us to a video report on the YouTube channel Firstpost on 15 August 2025. From the timestamp 1:47, footage similar to the viral video can be seen.

According to the description of the video, “A massive cloudburst has struck Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, leaving at least 60 dead and over 100 injured. Chositi village has been virtually split in half by the deluge, as rescue teams and locals scramble to locate the missing amidst the widespread devastation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the exact number of missing persons remains unknown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that “every possible assistance” will be provided, as the central government continues to monitor the unfolding crisis closely.”

We found clips similar to the viral video on a video report on the YouTube channel Times News on 14 August 2025. 

The description of the video read, “At least 12 people were feared dead and more trapped following sudden, heavy rain in Indian Kashmir, an official said on Thursday (August 14). 

The disaster occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a pit stop on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after a heavy flood and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

Local TV channels said the flood water had washed away community kitchens set up for pilgrims.

 A cloudburst, according to the Indian Meteorological Department, is a sudden, intense downpour of over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in just one hour that can trigger sudden floods, landslides, and devastation, especially in mountainous regions during the monsoon.”

This makes it clear that the viral video is not from the Vaishno Devi Landslide. It shows a cloudburst hit area in Kishtwar, Jammu.

Conclusion 

From our investigation, we can say that the claim is misleading. The viral video doesn’t show the recent landslide near the Vaishno Devi Temple. The video is from Chasoti in the Kishtwar district, Jammu where a cloudburst struck on 14 August 2025.