Srinagar: Torrential rains have unleashed unprecedented flooding and landslides across Jammu & Kashmir, causing widespread destruction, damaging critical infrastructure and underscoring the growing impact of extreme climate events in J&K and other Himalayan states.
The Tawi River, swollen by relentless downpours, has breached danger levels, leading to the collapse of the fourth Tawi bridge near Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu and disrupting road and rail networks across the region.
The Leh-Manali highway, a vital lifeline, has also been severely impacted, with sections washed away by the raging Beas River.
Catastrophic damage in Jammu
Jammu has been battered by heavy rainfall, with the city recording 190.4 mm of rain in 24 hours, the second-highest in a century. The Tawi River, flowing above the 20-foot danger mark in Udhampur and eroding banks near Nikki Tawi, has caused significant alarm.
The collapse of the fourth Tawi bridge has halted traffic and led to the cancellation of over 10 passenger train services, with Northern Railway officials monitoring the situation from Pathankot. Landslides triggered by the rains have blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at multiple points, including Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district, leaving commuters stranded and forcing some to seek shelter in highway tunnels.
The floods have also wreaked havoc on residential areas, with floodwaters inundating homes, shops, and public infrastructure.
In Doda district, one of the worst-affected areas, flash floods and cloudbursts have damaged over 15 homes, several cowsheds, and a private health center, with three fatalities reported.
The Chenab River, flowing at a precarious 899.3 meters—just below its highest flood level of 900 meters—has prompted authorities to issue evacuation advisories and place rescue teams on high alert.
The Kashmir Valley and Ladakh have not been spared, with flash floods and landslides disrupting connectivity and endangering lives.
In Ladakh, the Leh-Manali highway, a critical route connecting the region to Himachal Pradesh, has been blocked at Vashisht Chowk near Manali due to the Beas River’s destructive surge.
The flooding has also damaged hotels, restaurants, and shops in Manali, with local authorities evacuating residents near the Green Tax Barrier and Alu Ground.
Extreme climate events in Himalayan States
The devastation in J&K mirrors a broader pattern of extreme climate events striking Himalayan states, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rainfall since Sunday night has triggered landslides and swollen rivers, closing schools in nine districts and blocking over 249 roads, with Mandi district among the hardest hit.
The Chandigarh-Manali highway has been repeatedly washed away, with sections at Bindu Dhank and Raison completely destroyed. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such events to climate change, noting that rising temperatures enable the atmosphere to hold more moisture, leading to intense rainfall. Warmer temperatures and shifting weather patterns, including western disturbances impacting J&K outside the typical winter season, have intensified rainfall.
Experts also point to unplanned development as a key driver of the escalating disasters. Unscientific road widening, deforestation, and construction near riverbanks have exacerbated the damage, with debris clogging waterways and increasing flood risks.
Experts say that the recurring disasters in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand highlight the urgent need for science-based development policies and robust early warning systems. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events serve as a stark reminder of the climate crisis impacting the Himalayas and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar, warning of continued heavy rain and flash flood risks through August 27. Meanwhile, rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police working to clear debris and restore connectivity.
Authorities have closed schools, diverted traffic, and urged residents to avoid rivers and flood-prone zones.
