Heavy downpour has wreaked havoc in Jammu, with over two dozen houses and bridges damaged in the rains. According to authorities, four persons have been confirmed dead in rain-related incidents; all waterbodies in the region are flowing above the danger mark.
Continuous heavy rainfall across parts of Jammu for three days has triggered landslides, mudslides and has led to the closure of several roads. According to reports, Doda was one of the severely hit districts and rescue operations involving police, armed forces and disaster relief personnel are underway in affected areas.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as a precautionary measure. Traffic movement has been suspended on the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda national highways. Traffic movement has also been restricted in over a dozen hilly roads blocked or damaged by landslides or flash floods.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the relief operations and said the situation was quite serious. Abdullah said he will be reaching Jammu to oversee relief measures. "The situation is many parts of Jammu province is quite serious. I’ll be taking the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the developing situation," Abdullah said in a post on X.
"In the mean time, instructions have been issued to place additional funds at the disposal of the DCs to cover emergency restoration work and other exigences," the chief minister added. Earlier, Abdullah reviewed the flood situation and advised authorities to take all necessary relief measures.
According to reports, authorities have confirmed that 15 houses and four bridges suffered damage in the incessant rains in Doda. Damages to public infrastructure have also been reported in Kishtwar, Reasi, Rajouri, Ramban and Poonch districts.
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According to officials, water levels in the Taranah River, Ujh River, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, and their tributaries in Kathua, Basenter in Samba, Tawi and Chenab in Jammu have crossed the danger mark and it is simultaneously rising.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, Kathua district recorded the highest 155.6mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending 8.30am; 99.8mm rainfall was recorded in Bhaderwah, Doda; 81.5mm in Jammu and 68.8mm in Katra.
The public has been advised to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone areas. The IMD has forecast cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides in high-altitude areas in Jammu till August 27.