Torrential rain batters Jammu: Tawi, Chenab and Ujh overflow; red alert and school holiday declared

Jammu: Incessant rainfall has led to a surge in river and stream water levels across the Jammu division, with several major rivers breaching flood alert thresholds. Authorities have responded swiftly by shutting down schools, colleges, and coaching centres and deploying emergency personnel to critical areas.

Which rivers have crossed danger levels?

The Tawi, Chenab, Basantar, and Ujh rivers have all crossed their respective flood alert marks, with water levels continuing to rise. In Udhampur, the Tawi River has exceeded evacuation levels, while in Jammu city, it remains above the flood alert line. The Chenab River at Akhnoor is nearing evacuation status as well.

Other rivers showing alarming levels include the Basantar in Samba and the Ujh in Kathua districts, both of which have crossed the flood threshold. In Kashmir, the Sheshnag stream in Pahalgam and the Vishow stream in Kulgam have also breached flood limits.

Meanwhile, the Jhelum River remains below danger levels at key monitoring points in Sangam (Anantnag) and Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar).

Where did the heaviest rainfall occur?

Official data reveals intense rainfall across multiple districts between Tuesday 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday 5:30 a.m.:

Reasi: 203 mm

Katra: 193 mm

Batote: 157.3 mm

Doda: 114 mm

Baderwah: 96.2 mm

Banihal: 95 mm

Ramban: 82 mm

Jammu: 81 mm

Kishtwar: 50 mm

Rajouri: 57.4 mm

Samba: 48 mm

In Kashmir, significant rainfall was recorded in Pahalgam (55 mm), Kokernag (68.2 mm), Qazigund (68 mm), and Srinagar (32 mm).

What are the emergency measures taken?

In response to the worsening situation:

• All schools, degree colleges, and coaching centres across the Jammu division have been closed for the day to ensure student and staff safety.
• The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Mughal Road and Sinthan Top have been shut to traffic due to landslides and falling rocks.
• NDRF teams have been deployed to monitor riverbanks, particularly at the Tawi Bridge in Jammu, using loudspeakers to alert residents of rising water levels.

What’s the weather forecast?

The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for several districts. It forecasts:

Heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 12 hours in Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Ramban

Moderate to heavy rain and intense showers expected in Pir Panjal Range and South Kashmir, including Kishtwar, Poonch, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam

Risk of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and urban flooding in vulnerable areas

The MeT Department has urged residents to stay alert, avoid travel, and follow official advisories closely.

Travel advisory

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Department has cautioned commuters against travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar highway due to multiple landslides and shooting stones and recommended postponing non-essential journeys until further notice.