Srinagar, Aug 24: Jammu city witnessed an exceptional spell of rainfall over the past 24 hours, recording 190.4 mm of precipitation till 8:30 a.mon Sunday,the second-highest single-day rainfall in the month of August in nearly a century. The highest on record remains 228.6 mm on August 5, 1926.
With this latest downpour, Jammu has surpassed its previous second-highest August figure of 189.6 mm, recorded on August 11, 2022. The relentless rain brought the city to a near standstill, triggering widespread waterlogging, severe traffic disruptions, and flooding in several low-lying areas.Authorities are closely monitoring river and stream levels, with concerns rising over the potential for flash floods.
Meteorological officials attributed the extreme rainfall to shifting climate trends, noting an increase in record-breaking precipitation events in recent years.
Dr.Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, warned of continued adverse conditions, with light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers expected between August 24 and 26 in many parts of the region.
“Heavy showers are likely in Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, and Rajouri. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected in Poonch, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, and parts of South Kashmir,” Dr. Ahmad said.
He cautioned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and cloudbursts in vulnerable areas. From August 27 to 31, the weather is expected to turn hot and humid, with occasional isolated showers.
In a major rescue operation, at least 45 students from the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in Jammu were safely evacuated after floodwaters inundated the ground floor of their hostel complex.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and J&K Police, equipped with boats, launched a five-hour rescue operation early Sunday after over seven feet of water from an overflowing canal entered the building.
Dr.Zabeer Ahmed, Director of IIIM, confirmed that all students were safe and that alternative accommodation had been arranged. “There is no need to panic. We’ve mobilised all resources, including dewatering pumps, to ensure the safety of our students,” he said.
The heavy rain also led to significant infrastructure damage. A portion of road adjacent to a temple near the Tawibridge caved in, while a culvert at the Jammu bus stand’s exit gate collapsed.
In multiple localities, overflowing drains and canals breached embankments, damaging homes, boundary walls, and submerging dozens of vehicles.
Authorities have urged people to remain vigilant, avoid water bodies and unstable slopes, and be prepared for emergencies.
In north Kashmir, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worked through the night to clear the Bandipora–Gurez road, which was blocked by over a dozen landslides triggered by heavy rainfall late Saturday.
Personnel from the 56 Road Construction Company and the 32nd Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) deployed heavy machinery in an eight-hour operation, clearing stranded vehicles and rescuing passengers. However, traffic remains suspended as shooting stones continue to fall along the route.
Rainfall remained negligible with Leh recording 0.4 mm and Kargil 1 mm .
Authorities have issued a red alert and directed all district administrations to remain on high alert. Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Ramban, and Kishtwar have advised residents to avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone slopes, refrain from unnecessary travel, especially in flood-prone zones and keep emergency supplies and stay connected with local authorities
People in vulnerable areas have been urged to identify safer shelters and follow all official advisories strictly as the region braces for continued rain and possible extreme events over the next 72 hours.
Rainfall data across J&K
Jammu region:
- Jammu City: 190.4 mm
- Jammu Airport: 166 mm
- Udhampur: 144.2 mm
- Katra: 115.4 mm
- Samba: 109 mm
- Chatha: 98.5 mm
- Kathua: 90.2 mm
Moderate showers were also reported in Reasi, Bakore, Ramban, Banihal, and Batote. Bhaderwah, Rajouri, and Kishtwar saw lighter rainfall.
Kashmir Valley:
- Awantipora: 61.2 mm (highest)
- Pulwama: 37 mm
- Srinagar Airport: 33.2 mm
- Kokernag&Khudwani: 32 mm each
- Gulmarg: 30 mm
- Srinagar city: 13.5 mm
Other areas including Pahalgam, Qazigund, Budgam, Nowgam, Pampore, and Ganderbal also received rainfall.
