Jammu/Srinagar: As rains continue lashing Jammu and parts of the Kashmir Valley, the water bodies across Jammu have once again swelled, crossing the alarm mark at multiple places, prompting authorities to issue an advisory urging people to stay away from vulnerable spots.
Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Jammu region, has witnessed extreme weather conditions since August 14, 2025, leading to the loss of over 100 lives, including 65 in the Kishtwar cloudburst incident and 35 in landslides along the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) route.
One more life was lost in a natural calamity in Anantnag district today. A 16-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by lightning in Kokernag.
Official sources said that Dilawar Ahmad Bhokad (16), son of Mohammad Sardar Bhokad, a resident of Soin Wangam, Kokernag, was hit by lightning at Nawkhan near Margan Top, resulting in his on-the-spot death.
Meanwhile, as moderate to heavy rainfall was witnessed in the Jammu region from late Monday evening, water bodies in Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, and other places saw an unprecedented rise, leading to flood threats in the Jammu region again. The water level in Kashmir’s water bodies was flowing well below the flood alert mark around 2230 hours on Tuesday though it was raining in Srinagar and other areas.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) issued an urgent advisory for Jammu region, advising residents to stay away from the banks of the River Tawi and other swollen rivers in the region.
Heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours has triggered a critical flood situation across Jammu, with the River Tawi, Ujh, Basanter, Chenab, and Ravi breaching alert and danger levels, prompting heightened vigilance from authorities.
Udhampur recorded the highest precipitation till this morning, with the figures revealing a total of 60.4 mm of rainfall at the station. Rajouri recorded a rainfall of 56.4 mm till this morning.
Batote station witnessed a rainfall of 55.1 mm since morning till evening, while 17.6 mm rainfall was recorded at the station till this morning.
Bhaderwah saw a rainfall of 42.6 mm since morning, while Katra recorded 32.7 mm till 5:30 PM. The data reveals that Jammu recorded a precipitation of 11.4 mm since morning and 17.8 mm till this morning.
In Srinagar, the summer capital of the region, the highest rainfall of 15.4 mm was recorded since this morning, followed by 13.2 mm in Kokernag.
During the fresh wet spell, Jammu city’s River Tawi experienced a rapid rise in water levels, approaching the danger mark.
The SDRF reported that the Tawi has crossed the flood alert level, raising concerns about potential inundation in low-lying areas.
The District Magistrate of Jammu has reiterated warnings for residents to avoid the riverbanks, saying there is an imminent risk of flooding. A recent post on X by the District Magistrate said, “Citizens of Jammu are requested to stay away from Tawi River banks. The water levels may reach the danger mark within a short period of time.”
The Tawi’s rising levels follow a similar trend observed in Udhampur, where the river had previously crossed the evacuation level of 24.975 ft on August 26, 2025, surpassing both danger and evacuation thresholds. Authorities warn that continued rainfall could push the Tawi in Jammu city past the danger mark in the coming hours, potentially leading to evacuations in vulnerable areas.
Kathua’s Ujh River at Panjtirthi has also crossed the flood alert level, with a recorded discharge of 59,750 cusecs, surpassing the alert threshold of 48,000 cusecs. While it remains below the danger level of 88,000 cusecs, officials are closely monitoring the situation due to the steady upward trend.
Similarly, the Ravi River in Kathua has breached its flood alert level, with the water level recorded at 524.97 meters above mean sea level (MSL), exceeding the alert level of 523 meters.
The danger level for the Ravi stands at 527.91 meters, and authorities have warned that further increases could lead to severe flooding in villages such as Bagthali, Massos Pur, Keerian Gandial, Barni, Dhanna, Dhanore, Karyali, and adjoining areas.
The SDRF, alongside local disaster management teams, have been placed on high alert across Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts.
Meanwhile, the weatherman here has predicted heavy rainfall until tomorrow, saying that generally cloudy weather is expected with one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thunder at many places during the daytime, with the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain over Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, and Reasi, along with moderate to heavy rainfall over Doda, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Kishtwar, Anantnag, and Kulgam, mainly towards late tonight and early tomorrow, continuing till late afternoon.
Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that from September 4 to 7, a brief spell of rain and thunder is expected at a few places. From September 8 to 11, a spell of moderate rain is expected over a few districts of Jammu division during the night of September 8 and the 9th, with improvement thereafter until the 11th evening.
The fresh weather forecast has raised fears of flash floods and further inundation. Residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas are urged to remain indoors, avoid riverbanks, and keep emergency supplies ready.
In its advisory, the MeT has stated that there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in a few districts, as well as the possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at many vulnerable places.
It said that a rise in water levels in rivers is expected and urged people to stay away from water bodies, nallas, river embankments, and loose structures. Besides, the public has been advised to stay alert and updated.
It is worth mentioning here that the government has closed all educational institutions and non-essential offices in Jammu to ensure public safety. (With Inputs from KNS, KNO, PTI)
Pilgrimage to Vaishnodevi temple remains suspended for 8th consecutive day
The otherwise bustling Katra base camp and route leading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine wore a deserted look as the pilgrimage to the temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district remained suspended for the eighth straight day on Tuesday.
Fresh rainfall was witnessed in Katra and Trikuta hills, the abode of the shrine, on Tuesday.
The yatra has been suspended as a precautionary measure in the wake of adverse weather conditions, officials said, adding the tracks have been closed for all movement.
Although necessary repairs have been completed, the decision to resume the pilgrimage will depend on improvement in weather conditions and the safety of pilgrims, they said.
With the suspension of the yatra, Katra and the path to the cave shrine — once bustling with devotees chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’ — now wears a deserted look.
“The suspension has left the base camp and adjoining areas deserted, as devotees wait for the resumption of the pilgrimage,” local businessman Arvind Kumar said.
He said hotels are mostly vacant, restaurants have almost no visitors, and transport remains idle due to the suspension of the yatra, a period that otherwise witnesses heavy pilgrim rush.
As compared to the arrival of 7,10,914 and 7,48,030 pilgrims in August 2023 and 2024 respectively, this year the number was significantly lower due to the cloudburst on August 26. In July, 6,77,652 pilgrims had visited the cave shrine.
The Reasi district administration and shrine board officials are closely monitoring the situation, while restoration work on damaged tracks and roads is underway, officials said.
In view of the threat to buildings along landslide-prone areas in Katra base camp, the administration has identified 80 vulnerable structures, including 15 hotels, and vacated them as a safety measure.
“There are no pilgrims in these hotels or structures now,” an official said.
A detailed survey is underway to assess structural safety and potential risks, with precautionary measures being implemented to protect both pilgrims and residents, officials added.
The move comes as the region faces heightened landslide threats due to incessant rain, prompting authorities to prioritise evacuation planning and infrastructure safeguards.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has already cancelled all bookings, including helicopter services and accommodations, offering a 100 percent refund until the yatra resumes.
The weather office has asked people to remain alert in view of heavy rains and the possibility of flash floods over the next 48 hours in Jammu region.
Reasi district is among the worst-hit areas in the Union Territory. A landslide triggered by a cloudburst struck the route to the shrine at Adhkuwari in the Trikuta hills of the Katra belt last Tuesday, killing 34 pilgrims and injuring 20 others.
The yatra was suspended last Tuesday until further orders.
Nestled amidst the Trikuta mountains, the Vaishnodevi temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India, attracting nearly a crore devotees every year. (PTI)
