Jammu/Srinagar: Heavy rainfall has caused widespread disruption across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Jammu Division, over the past 24 hours, triggering flash floods and landslides that have left several low-lying areas submerged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for all districts of the region on Sunday, forecasting more rainfall, thunderstorms, and the risk of cloudbursts and flash floods until at least August 27.
The unprecedented downpour has led to a flood-like situation in several areas, with waters breaching normal levels in rivers and streams, while many roads have been inundated. Authorities have warned residents to stay away from flood-prone areas as several major rivers, including the Basantar in Samba, Chenab in Doda, and Tawi in Jammu, are swelling dangerously.
The heavy rains have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, with significant damage reported to bridges, roads, and houses. A crucial bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, located over the Sahar Khad stream in Kathua district, has been severely damaged. The Deputy Commissioner of Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, confirmed that one of the bridges had suffered substantial damage, while the second bridge showed signs of weakness, prompting authorities to halt traffic on both bridges as a safety precaution.
“We’ve closed the bridges immediately for the safety of commuters. Engineers are assessing the condition of the infrastructure,” Sharma said. Meanwhile, traffic has been diverted to alternate routes, and the authorities are working round the clock to inspect and repair the damages.
In response to the developing situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has placed the region on high alert. A government spokesperson confirmed that the Chief Minister had directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and to ensure that disaster response teams are readily available. “We are focusing on clearing waterlogged areas, restoring drainage systems, and resuming essential services like drinking water supply and electricity in affected regions,” the spokesperson added.
The situation remains dire in Jammu city, where several areas, including Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tilloo, and New Plot, have been inundated. Floodwaters have entered homes, causing damage to property and displacing residents. Boundary walls have collapsed, and nearly a dozen vehicles were swept away by flash floods. Authorities are working to clear debris and provide immediate relief to the affected citizens.
One of the most alarming developments occurred when at least 50 students were trapped in a hostel at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in Jammu. The hostel, located on Canal Road near Bakshi Nagar, was submerged after floodwaters breached the ground floor. A joint rescue operation involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police successfully evacuated the students to safety.
As of the latest official reports, Jammu has recorded 190.4 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, making it the second-heaviest downpour in August in the last 100 years. The highest recorded rainfall for this month remains 228.6 mm, which occurred on August 5, 1926. Other areas such as Udhampur, Katra, and Samba also witnessed heavy rainfall, with Udhampur recording 144.2 mm of rain.
Despite the heavy rainfall, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a critical route connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, remains open. However, landslides triggered by the rains have forced the closure of the Mughal Road, which connects Poonch and Rajouri to Shopian, and the Sinthan Road, which links Kishtwar and Doda with Anantnag.
The situation is being closely monitored by the authorities, with disaster response teams and local police stationed along major rivers and landslide-prone zones to ensure timely interventions. The IMD has issued further warnings, forecasting more intense rainfall over the coming days.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay alert as the weather department predicts that conditions could worsen in the coming days.
