Jammu reels under flood fury after record rainfall

·         4 people caught in flash flood rescued in Kathua

·         Schools to remain closed across Jammu division on Tuesday

·         190.4 mm rainfall in 24 hrs — second highest August figure in 99 years

·         India warns Pakistan of potential downstream flooding

·         Jammu-Pathankot bridge damaged, roads washed away

Sunil Dutt

Jammu Tawi, August 25: Life came to a standstill across the Jammu division on Monday as relentless overnight rains triggered severe flooding, prompting the administration to close all schools and put the region on high alert. With 190.4 mm of rainfall recorded in just 24 hours—the second-highest single-day August rainfall in 99 years—the situation has been described by officials as one of the worst in recent memory. As of today, Four members of a family, including two women and a child, were rescued after they were washed away by a flash flood in Ravi river in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Monday, police said.
Mohammed Shafi (60), his wife Reshma (50), daughter Parveena (28) and a two-year-old grandchild were caught in a flash flood near Shahpur Kandi. The flood was caused by heavy rainfall in hilly areas, a police spokesperson said.
He said the civilians, hailing from Thein village of Lakhanpur, were rescued in a joint operation led by Kathua Senior Superintendent of Police Shobhit Saksena.

The incessant downpour inundated several parts of Jammu city including Talab Tilloo, Roop Nagar, Janipur, Jewel Chowk and Kabir Colony. Residents woke up to flooded streets, submerged homes, and overflowing drains. Traffic movement was crippled, and many vehicles were left stranded on waterlogged roads.

A key bridge on the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway suffered significant structural damage, causing major disruption on this vital corridor. Several link roads in rural belts have also been washed away. Overflowing nallahs and rising water levels in the Tawi and Chenab rivers have raised fears of further flooding in low-lying areas.

District authorities have activated emergency response teams, while police, SDRF and municipal staff have been pressed into service for evacuation and relief operations.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh warning for flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides and mudslides over the next 48 hours, especially in hilly terrain. Residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to remain indoors and avoid venturing near riverbanks and water channels.

Health authorities have expressed concern over the possible outbreak of waterborne diseases as several localities remain waterlogged. Hospitals and primary health centres have been placed on alert. Civic bodies have been instructed to carry out immediate sanitisation and dewatering drives.

In an unusual diplomatic move, India on Monday issued a formal flood warning to Pakistan, cautioning it about rising water levels in rivers that flow across the border. Officials said the advisory was issued purely on humanitarian grounds, despite strained bilateral ties, as the situation has potential cross-border consequences.

The J&K Disaster Management Authority, along with the divisional administration, has launched round-the-clock rescue and relief operations. Boats, earthmovers and sandbags are being deployed in flood-prone areas. Relief camps have been set up in safer zones.

All government and private schools in Jammu division will remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure, the administration announced.

The current crisis comes barely days after the August 14 Kishtwar cloudburst, which killed more than 60 people and injured over 100, underscoring the growing frequency of extreme weather events in the Union Territory. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, follow safety advisories and report emergencies to the nearest control room. With rain showing no signs of relenting, the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the extent of the crisis.