The flood threat looms in Jammu and Kashmir as all rivers and streams in the Union Territory are flowing above the flood mark.
The Chenab, Tawi, Ravi, Basantar, and Ujh rivers were flowing above the flood level in Jammu, and the Jhelum was also flowing above the flood level in south Kashmir.
The Vishow, Lidder, and Sheshnag streams were flowing higher than the flood level in south Kashmir, while the Sindh stream in North Kashmir was flowing close to the flood mark.
Flood waters from the Chenab River inundated many villages in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district as officials used loudspeakers to alert people in Jammu city to stay away from the Tawi River, which is in spate.
Officials said the water level at Sangam breached the critical threshold of 25 feet, while at Pampore the river flowed above the danger mark, raising fears of flooding in several low-lying areas. In Srinagar city, the river level at Ram Munshibagh was nearing the alert mark of 18 feet.
The rains in Jammu have created a flood-like situation since Tuesday evening, with the administration sounding a flood alert and advising people against venturing close to any water bodies.
Water gauges in the region are rising, and will increase if rainfall continues, according to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. “All the concerned authorities are requested to remain alert and take necessary measures…All officers assigned flood duties must immediately report to their posts,” the department said in a post on X.
Heavy rains have triggered flooding in south Kashmir districts, including Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. Police and disaster management teams have launched rescue operations, while emergency helplines have been activated across vulnerable areas.
Police also rescued 25 nomadic families stranded under a bridge after a sudden rise in Lidder Nalla, while in Kulgam, five families were shifted to safety from Brazloo village after the Vaishov Nalla overflowed.
Connectivity across the region has been severely hit, with several key routes being closed.
The all-weather Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for the second straight day due to multiple landslides between Udhampur and Banihal.
The Mughal Road, Jammu-Srinagar-Leh highway, and Jammu-Kishtwar highway have also been shut.
A landslide on Wednesday hit the track of the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district without causing any loss of life.
An official said the landslide occurred at the Sammar Point of the track today.
It blocked the route to the shrine.
However, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the incident, as there were no pilgrims. Efforts are on to clear the debris.
The pilgrimage remained suspended for the ninth day on Wednesday, leaving the Katra base camp deserted in the absence of devotees.
Authorities have vacated the accommodations of officials as a precautionary measure in the wake of heavy rainfall and the threat of landslides, officials said.
Meanwhile, all educational institutions in J&K would remain closed tomorrow due to inclement weather.
An official said the schools and colleges in Jammu would remain closed till September 5 in view of continuous heavy rains and the weather alert issued by the IMD.
According to an order issued by the Directorate of School Education Jammu, the decision has been taken to ensure the safety of students and staff as several areas face the risk of landslides, flash floods, and severe waterlogging.
Train services in the Jammu railway division remain severely disrupted after heavy rains and flash floods battered the region, causing extensive damage to the Pathankot-Jammu line.
The Northern Railway today announced the cancellation of 68 incoming and outgoing trains from Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra stations till September 30, even as 24 services are being gradually restored.
Officials said that rail traffic has been suspended for the past eight days due to breaches and track misalignments at several places on the Pathankot-Jammu section. The situation left scores of people, including Vaishno Devi pilgrims, stranded across the division.