A sudden cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday claimed four lives and left behind a trail of destruction. The heavy downpour unleashed flash floods that damaged more than 10 houses and washed away key roads, cutting off vital connectivity in the region. The calamity followed similar incidents in Kathua and Kishtwar, underscoring the intensity of this season’s monsoon fury in the Jammu division.
The weather department has sounded warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Kathua, Samba, Doda, Jammu, Ramban, and Kishtwar districts until at least August 27. All schools, both government and private, were closed across the Jammu region due to the severe weather. Meanwhile, traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended as a precautionary measure after landslides and shooting stones blocked multiple stretches. In Doda, a crucial road was completely washed away when a local stream overflowed, worsening the situation for residents already hit by flash floods.
Adding to the crisis, the River Tawi flowed above danger levels, with officials cautioning that water levels across several rivers and streams were expected to rise further overnight. The Jammu region remains on high alert, with people advised to avoid venturing near rivers, streams, and landslide-prone areas.
Authorities confirmed that Kathua recorded the heaviest rainfall at 155.6 mm in 24 hours, followed by Bhaderwah in Doda at 99.8 mm, Jammu at 81.5 mm, and Katra at 68.8 mm. Jammu city itself witnessed a historic downpour, logging 190.4 mm of rain in just 24 hours over the weekend, marking the second-highest August rainfall in a century. The highest remains 228.6 mm recorded on August 5, 1926.
Rescue and relief teams have been kept on high alert, with officials closely monitoring vulnerable areas. Helpline numbers have been issued for residents in flood-hit regions, and emergency evacuations are being prepared in case of worsening conditions. In Kashmir, southern districts saw moderate to heavy rainfall, particularly over higher reaches, while central and north Kashmir experienced lighter showers. Though no flood alert has been issued for the Jhelum River, authorities remain cautious as water levels continue to rise. As the monsoon rains persist, the Jammu and Kashmir administration faces the daunting challenge of protecting lives and property from repeated cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods, making this one of the most severe wet spells in recent years.
