Jammu paralysed by torrential rains; bridge collapses on Pathankot highway

Heavy rains battered most parts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, flooding residential areas, and disrupting road connectivity across the region.

Jammu recorded 190.4 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 am — the second-highest rainfall for August in over a century. The all-time record remains 228.6 mm, set on August 5, 1926, while the previous second-highest was 189.6 mm, recorded on August 11, 2022.

The torrential downpour not only inundated low-lying areas but also led to the collapse of a bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, prompting authorities to divert traffic and place emergency services on high alert. Traffic on the highway was immediately suspended to avoid accidents but was later rerouted through an alternate path.

Power outages were reported across several parts of Jammu city as floodwaters entered power substations, disrupting electricity supply.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert. He emphasised the importance of inter-departmental coordination and ensuring that control rooms remain fully operational and responsive. Abdullah said special priority is being given to clearing waterlogged areas, restoring drainage systems, and resuming essential services such as water and electricity.

Several major roads in Jammu city were submerged, significantly disrupting traffic flow. Overflowing streams caused floodwaters to enter homes in multiple localities, including Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tillo, Jewel Chowk, New Plot, and Sanjay Nagar.

Boundary walls of several homes collapsed, and nearly a dozen vehicles were swept away in flash floods. A portion of a road near a temple close to the Tawi Bridge caved in, while a culvert at the exit gate of the Jammu bus stand also collapsed due to the heavy rain.

A government school building in the Mahanpur area of Kathua was also damaged.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar issued an advisory warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at several locations from August 24 to 26. The advisory mentioned the possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, urging people to stay away from riverbanks and vulnerable areas.

Water levels in major rivers and streams in Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Jammu rose sharply, leading the administration to place disaster response teams and local police on high alert.

Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana convened a meeting with Chief Engineers and senior officials to assess flood preparedness. He reviewed emergency response infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas, and directed round-the-clock monitoring of water levels in major river systems, including the Jhelum, Ravi and Tawi rivers and their tributaries.

Meanwhile, Jammu Municipal Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav conducted inspections of rain-affected areas across the city. He instructed the Engineering, Transport, and Sanitation wings of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to begin restoration work on a war footing.