Jammu is facing an unprecedented crisis as torrential rainfall, the highest since 1910, has triggered widespread devastation across the region. The relentless downpour over the past week has resulted in cloudbursts, flash floods, swelling rivers, and landslides, causing immense damage to infrastructure and tragically claiming numerous lives.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported record-breaking rainfall figures, with Jammu recording 296 mm of rain in a 24-hour period, surpassing the previous record of 272.6 mm from August 9, 1973. Udhampur also witnessed unprecedented rainfall, receiving 629.4 mm in 24 hours. This extreme weather event has been attributed to the region receiving nearly a month's worth of rain in a single day, with the monthly average for August being 403.1mm.
The impact of the heavy rainfall has been catastrophic. At least 32 people died in a landslide at Vaishno Devi shrine on Tuesday afternoon, while four deaths were reported in Doda flash floods in the morning. Infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, with bridges collapsing and mobile towers and electricity poles being uprooted, crippling telecom services. Several key bridges have been damaged, houses and commercial establishments destroyed, and roads washed away. The overflowing Tawi river has submerged low-lying areas, causing widespread inundation and displacement.
In response to the crisis, rescue and relief operations are underway. Thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas along flooded riverbanks in Jammu and Samba districts. The Indian Army has launched humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, deploying rescue columns and helicopters to evacuate stranded civilians. The Air Force has also been involved, with C-130 transport aircraft carrying relief material to Jammu. Relief camps have been established to provide food, water, and medical aid to those displaced by the floods.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions and offices, except for essential services and law and order departments. The J&K Board of School Education has also cancelled Class 10 and 11 exams across J&K and Ladakh. Authorities are working to restore essential services, including water supply, electricity, and internet connectivity, which have been severely disrupted.
The Department of Telecom has activated Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) in the affected areas to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation and received assurances of continued assistance to the people of J&K.
While the meteorological department has predicted an improvement in the weather, with intermittent light to moderate rain expected, the region remains on high alert. People are advised to stay away from riverbanks and landslide-prone areas. The focus remains on rescue and relief efforts, as well as the restoration of critical infrastructure to help the affected communities recover from this devastating natural disaster.
