Heavy floods caused chaos across Jammu division over the past 24 hours, but thankfully, the situation is improving as the water levels in Kashmir’s rivers start to go down. No new rainfall was reported today, helping rivers in the valley recede, bringing some relief to residents.
Tragically, two people lost their lives in Rajouri district when their house collapsed during heavy rains. In another incident, a driver and his vehicle were washed away in the Ban Talab area of Jammu. Rescue teams, including the Border Security Force (BSF), used helicopters to save 47 villagers stranded in the flooded Chenab River in the Garkhal area of Pargwal sector.
Roads, water supplies, and electricity infrastructure suffered major damage in Jammu division. The Chenab River was flowing about 8 to 9 feet above the danger level at Akhnoor, while the Tawi River neared its flood stage at 16 feet. Other rivers like Ravi, Ujh, Basantar, Devak, and Tarnah also flowed at flood levels early this morning.
Several important roads, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, remained closed due to landslides. Roads in Batote, Kishtwar, and Mughal Road are also shut, impacting movement across the region. Multiple government teams, including the NDRF and SDRF, were deployed to assist residents in flood-affected areas.
In Rajouri, a tragic night unfolded as a woman and her daughter died when their house collapsed during the heavy rains in Kagri village. In Jammu city, a Tata Mobile load carrier was washed away in a Nallah near the CRPF camp in Ban Talab area, with the driver missing.
Authorities have launched efforts to strengthen embankments along the swollen River Tawi near the damaged fourth bridge to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. The approach road near this bridge was damaged on August 26, causing traffic jams.
Several parts of Jammu city are cut off due to landslides and mudslides, including the Panjtirthi-Sidhra road, Manda-Nagrota road, and the bridge at Akhnoor. Many neighborhoods like Kabir Nagar, Talab Tiloo, Bathindi, Channi, Nanak Nagar, Canal Road, Satwari, Ban Talab, Lower Roop Nagar, Janipur, Paloura, and Muthin experienced heavy flooding, with water entering homes and shops.
Traffic disruptions caused by waterlogged roads affected daily life, with hundreds of vehicles stranded along the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Meanwhile, in the Kashmir Valley, authorities began evacuating residents from flood-prone areas in Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, and Srinagar. Many people chose to stay with relatives in safer places.
The good news is that, today, rainfall stopped in the valley, and river water levels began dropping. All schools, colleges, and universities in Kashmir have been closed for the day as a precaution. The Meteorological Department predicts that the weather will improve across the region from Thursday onwards, bringing some relief to residents after days of heavy flooding.
