Jammu & Kashmir Reels from Deadly Floods

Record-breaking rainfall over August 25-26, 2025, has left Jammu and Kashmir grappling with catastrophic floods and landslides, claiming 36 lives and causing widespread destruction. The majority of fatalities stem from a massive landslide on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Reasi district, which killed 32 people, while four others, including three women, perished in Doda district due to flash floods. With over 10,000 people evacuated from low-lying areas, the Union Territory faces severe challenges as infrastructure, including key bridges and roads, lies in ruins.

The landslide struck near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari, halfway along the 12-km trek to the Vaishno Devi shrine, around 3 PM on August 26. Triggered by relentless rains, it buried pilgrims under debris, with 30 bodies recovered and two of the 20 injured succumbing in hospitals. Rescue operations continue as teams fear more individuals remain trapped. The pilgrimage has been suspended for a second day, with both the Himkoti and old routes closed for safety.

In the Kashmir Valley, the Jhelum River breached its flood alert mark, reaching 24.18 ft at Sangam in Anantnag (against a 25-ft danger mark) and 20.14 ft at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar (against a 21-ft danger mark) on August 27. Floodwaters inundated residential areas, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely and urge calm. While water levels in rivers like the Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, Ravi, and Basanter began receding after 11 AM as rains subsided, the damage to homes, commercial establishments, and infrastructure is extensive.

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Jammu recorded an unprecedented 380 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 AM on August 27, the highest single-day total since 1910, surpassing the city’s monthly August average of 403.1 mm. This deluge caused flash floods and landslides, closing the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and over a dozen other roads. Northern Railways canceled 58 trains to and from Jammu and Katra, with 64 others short-terminated due to soil erosion and flooding in the Chakki River area. Rail services, briefly restored on Wednesday morning, were halted again by evening.

Telecom services, disrupted for over 24 hours due to damaged optical fibers, were restored across networks on August 27. The government closed all educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir on August 28, with Education Minister Sakina Itoo citing ongoing adverse weather conditions. In Kishtwar’s Margi area, a flash flood washed away 10 homes and a bridge, though no immediate casualties were reported.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who traveled from Srinagar to Jammu to oversee relief efforts, briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the crisis. Modi expressed condolences for the Vaishno Devi victims, stating on X, “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.” Abdullah noted a slight reprieve as rains stopped on Wednesday, allowing water levels to recede and relief operations to intensify. Over 10,000 people have been evacuated, with the Indian Army deploying four rescue columns and helicopters to save civilians, students, and security personnel in areas like RS Pura and Jammu University.

The disaster follows a tragic cloudburst on August 14 in Kishtwar’s Chisoti village, which killed 65 people, mostly pilgrims, and left 32 missing. The recurring extreme weather events, linked to climate change and unseasonal monsoon patterns, have heightened concerns about the region’s vulnerability.

As Jammu and Kashmir braces for more rain, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting continued showers, authorities remain on high alert. The government has mobilized flood control teams, launched the Kashmir Flood Watch App for real-time updates, and stockpiled emergency equipment. The focus now is on restoring connectivity, ensuring resident safety, and rebuilding critical infrastructure. Vizhinjam’s success in sustainable port operations, as seen in recent developments, could inspire resilient infrastructure planning in flood-prone regions like Jammu and Kashmir.

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