Incessant heavy rainfall across Jammu & Kashmir has triggered flood-like conditions, with major rivers including the Tawi, Jhelum, and Chenab flowing above danger levels. Several districts are on high alert as water levels continue to rise.
In Rajouri, continuous downpours inundated low-lying areas, while in Doda’s Bhalesa and Bhaderwah, flooding was reported for the second straight day. Many homes along the Chenab River were submerged after water entered residential areas.
Authorities have shut schools in vulnerable regions and urged residents to remain indoors. “Even in Bhaderwah, there has been heavy rainfall since morning. Roads, including the Bhaderwah-Chamba route, are closed. People should step out only in emergencies,” said Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, ADC Bhaderwah.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert warnings for multiple districts in J&K including Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar. Similar alerts are in place for parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana.
Between 8:30 am Tuesday and 5:30 am Wednesday, Reasi recorded the highest rainfall at 203 mm, followed by Katra (193 mm), Batote (157.3 mm), Doda (114 mm), and Bhaderwah (96.2 mm). Fresh IMD data showed Reasi receiving 230.5 mm by early Wednesday morning.
Heavy to moderate rainfall was also reported in several other states, including Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and coastal Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Authorities have warned of flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts, urging residents in affected districts to stay alert and avoid movement near swollen rivers and streams.
