[1][2] At least 255 people are reported to have died,[1][4] six of whom were foreign tourists,[1][5] after a cloudburst and heavy overnight rains triggered flash floods, mudflows, and debris flows.

[2][6] 200 people were reported missing in the initial aftermath of the storm,[4][5][7] and thousands more were rendered homeless after the flooding caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

[2][9] Described as a "high-altitude cold desert", the area has sparse rainfall and a heavy downpour is a rare occurrence.

The cloudburst itself occurred between 0000–0030 hours IST on 6 August 2010, leading to flash flooding, debris flows, and mudflows over the region.

The most intense part of the storm was focused in a 6-kilometre (3.7 mi)-wide band parallel to, and a few kilometers from, the river Indus.

[15] In Leh, many buildings were destroyed including hospitals, the bus terminal, radio station transmitter, telephone exchange and mobile-phone towers.

As in Leh, much of the destruction was caused by debris flows coming from the rocky sidewalls of the valleys, not by the flooding itself.

In addition many of the roads and bridges leading to Leh were damaged, making it difficult to truck in relief supplies.

[9] Chief Minister of the state Omar Abdullah directed the administration to undertake relief effort on a war footing.