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· Over 100 dead, thousands displaced, crores in losses as century’s heaviest rains batter J&K.
· Floods, landslides, cloudbursts leave trail of death & despair
· Highways cut off, rail lines suspended, bridges collapsed— a UT brought to a standstill
· Electric grids down, water systems destroyed, & losses running into hundreds of crores.
· Army, IAF, and locals in relentless rescue
Anuja Khushu
The Himalayas roared this August, reminding Jammu and Kashmir of its fragile geography and fractured infrastructure. In less than a week, the Union Territory was battered by cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and record-shattering rainfall, leaving more than a hundred dead, thousands displaced, and entire towns plunged into darkness and despair.
This was not just another monsoon spell; it was a disaster unfolding on multiple fronts — from the pilgrimage routes of Vaishno Devi and Machail Mata to the floodplains of the Jhelum, from Kathua’s bridges to Ladakh’s high mountain passes.
A Cloudburst Turns Pilgrimage into Tragedy
On a quiet morning in Kishtwar’s Chositi village, thousands of pilgrims were trekking toward the sacred Machail Mata shrine when the skies suddenly tore open. Within minutes, serene streams turned into raging torrents. Boulders, mud, and water swept through, leaving a trail of destruction.
At least 64 pilgrims and locals were killed, over 100 were injured, and many remain missing — feared to have been swallowed by debris or carried downstream. Among the dead are families who had travelled across India seeking blessings, only to find themselves part of a nightmare.
The Indian Army’s 16 Corps, supported by disaster response teams, launched operations amid relentless rain and crumbling terrain. Helicopters airlifted the injured while soldiers waded through waist-deep waters to rescue survivors. But the pilgrimage has been suspended indefinitely, its spiritual sanctity overshadowed by grief.
Jammu Drowns: Rainfall Breaks Century Record
If Kishtwar was the epicenter of sudden devastation, Jammu bore the brunt of sustained fury. Between August 25 and 26, 380 mm of rain lashed the city in just 24 hours, the highest in 115 years. Udhampur reported an even more staggering 629 mm, turning neighbourhoods into rivers.
The fallout was immediate & crippling:
· 58 trains cancelled, 46 short-terminated, cutting pilgrim and passenger routes.
· Jammu-Pathankot Highway blocked by landslides.
· Flights grounded at Jammu Airport, stranding hundreds.
· Bridges collapsed, including the approach to the 4th Tawi Bridge, severing arterial roads.
· Low-lying colonies near the railway station were inundated; schools, colleges, and even hospitals lay crippled.
“We woke up to water rushing through our rooms. Within an hour, our home, our cattle, our grain stores — all were gone,” said Ramesh Kumar, a farmer from Udhampur.
Kathua, Ramban, Reasi: Districts of Despair
As Jammu reeled, Kathua district faced a cloudburst that washed away houses and rendered the Kathua Bridge unusable. In Ramban, flash floods and landslides cut off villages, damaged schools, and triggered power blackouts.
In Reasi, tragedy struck a single household: seven members of one family — parents and five children — were buried alive when a landslide engulfed their home in Mahore. “We pulled at the mud with our hands. By the time help came, it was too late,” recalled a neighbour.
Vaishno Devi Yatra Halted by Landslide
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching blow came on August 26, when a massive landslide near Ardhkuwari on the Vaishno Devi route buried scores of pilgrims under tons of rock and mud. At least 34 lives were lost, including women and children. Rescue teams, aided by the Army and NDRF, continued to dig through debris for survivors, even as the sacred yatra was suspended indefinitely.
“In Katra, where the Vaishno Devi yatra was suspended, pilgrims described scenes of chaos. ‘One moment we were chanting bhajans, the next moment we were running for our lives,’ recalled Neha Sharma, a devotee from Haryana.”
For a region where pilgrimage sustains the local economy, the halt has left devotees and livelihoods in limbo. Vendors, pony-wallahs, hoteliers, and transporters in Katra are staring at an abrupt collapse of income.
In the aftermath, the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmirconstituted a high-level committee to assess the widespread destruction caused by unprecedented rains and landslides across Jammu region. Officials estimate losses already run into hundreds of crores, and the committee is tasked with expediting compensation for affected families, businesses, and infrastructure. It will also recommend stronger safeguards on pilgrimage routes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Kashmir on Edge: Jhelum Rises Again
While Jammu battled rising waters, Kashmir braced for déjà vu. The Jhelum River, which wrought destruction in 2014, once again swelled beyond the red-mark at Sangam, Ram Munshi Bagh, and Asham. In Anantnag, knee-deep waters entered homes, while in Srinagar’s Rajbagh and Bemina, residents piled sandbags in a grim rehearsal of the past.
“More than the flood, it is the fear that haunts us. The 2014 scars never healed,” said Shabina Ali of Bemina.
Though the river has since stabilised, the psychological panic remains — a reminder that Kashmir lives under the constant threat of being drowned by its own river.
Ladakh’s August Snowfall: A Warning from the Peaks
Adding to the surreal weather, Zanskar and Khardung La witnessed heavy snowfall in August, signalling an early onset of winter. The Srinagar–Leh highway was briefly blocked before the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored traffic. For Ladakh’s remote settlements, early snow raises concerns of prolonged isolation.
Power & Water Networks Collapse:
The floods also exposed the fragility of J&K’s infrastructure.
1,049 of 1,349 power feeders were damaged, plunging 70% of Jammu into darkness.
Thousands of electric poles and transformers were destroyed.
Over 100 tube wells and water stations along rivers were washed away, cutting safe drinking water.
Entire neighbourhoods in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and Doda faced double jeopardy: no electricity and no potable water.
Relief & Resilience: A People’s Struggle
Despite the magnitude of destruction, relief operations began swiftly. The Indian Air Force deployed Mi-17s, Chinooks, C-130s, and IL-76s, flying in 22 tonnes of relief material. The Army set up makeshift bridges, while volunteers and community kitchens kept survivors fed in Satwari, Muthi, and relief camps.
Yet the need far outstripped capacity. Camps grew overcrowded, communications collapsed, and trauma deepened. “I don’t care about 4G. I just want to know if my brother is alive,” said a distraught student in Ramban.
Climate Alarm, Policy Gaps
Experts warn that these disasters are no longer rare anomalies but part of a pattern of extreme weather linked to climate change. Cloudbursts, once occasional, have grown more frequent in Himalayan belts. Urbanisation on floodplains, deforestation, and poor drainage amplify the risks.
J&K’s 2014 floods had prompted promises of robust flood-management systems, embankments, and early-warning networks. A decade later, the tragedy unfolding shows how little has changed.
The Road Ahead:
For now, J&K struggles to return to normalcy. Roads remain buried under landslides, homes are gutted, and livelihoods washed away. Schools and hospitals are crippled, power grids hang by a thread, and thousands live in makeshift shelters.
Yet, amid devastation, resilience flickers. Soldiers digging trenches, volunteers distributing food, neighbours carrying each other’s children across floodwaters — these images stand as testimony to a people who refuse to surrender.
But resilience alone is not enough. As climate extremes intensify, J&K faces a pressing question: Will disaster preparedness finally move beyond relief, toward prevention and protection?
BOX:
Echoes of the Past:
1903: The great Jhelum flood devastated Srinagar, forcing the Dogra rulers to build protective bunds that still line the river today.
1988: South Kashmir reeled under floods that wiped out thousands of acres of farmland, leaving long-term scars on agrarian families.
2010 (Leh): A cloudburst unleashed two years’ worth of rain in one night. Over 200 lives lost, villages buried in mud, and the cold desert reshaped overnight.
2014 (Valley-wide): The Jhelum breached its banks after record rainfall. 500+ dead, half a million displaced, and huge losses crippled J&K’s economy. Entire Srinagar neighbourhoods lay submerged for over a week.
The Pattern: Each calamity reinforced the same lesson, that the fragile Himalayas, battered by extreme weather, demand stronger disaster preparedness. Yet incomplete flood-control projects, weak embankments, and unchecked construction keep the region exposed to nature’s fury.
Amit Shah to visit Jammu on Sept 1
Likey to access damages in flood-hit areas
THE CHANCELLOR DESK
JAMMU: Union Home Minister Amit Shahwill personally review the crisis duringa two-day visit beginning September 1. Shah is scheduled to chair a high-level flood relief review meeting at Raj Bhawan at 11:30 AM the next morning. A
ll top officials of the Union Territory administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have been directed to attend.
The Home Minister, accompanied by a senior MHA team, will also tour flood-affected districts including Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi, and Kishtwar, to assess first-hand account of damages caused by flash floods and cloudbursts. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officials will brief him on rescue efforts, relief distribution, and the restoration of damaged infrastructure across Jammu region.
LG chairs high-level meeting to review rescue & relief efforts
THE CHANCELLOR DESK
Srinagar : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha convened a high-level meeting today with senior officials and central agencies to assess the ongoing flood situation and oversee rescue, relief, and restoration operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the unprecedented challenges posed by incessant rains and flash floods, the LG directed all concerned departments to take every possible measure to ensure the safety of residents in low-lying flood-affected areas, with more than 5,000 people already evacuated to safer locations.
Emphasising the urgent need for restoring essential services, he instructed officials to prioritize the reinstatement of power, communication, and water supply systems in areas where floodwaters are receding. He also called for immediate restoration of roads, bridges, and alternate routes on National Highways to ensure uninterrupted traffic movement.
The LG specifically directed the Power Development Department (PDD) to collaborate closely with NHPC Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for swift restoration of power infrastructure. He urged the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to assist the Public Works Department (PWD) in repairing roads and highways.
Highlighting the critical need for healthcare readiness, Sinha called on health authorities to prepare for a possible influx of patients suffering from waterborne diseases. He also stressed that all flood-affected areas must have adequate stocks of essential supplies and medicines.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed the Additional Chief Secretary of Jal Shakti to arrange alternative sources of clean drinking water, especially for remote and waterlogged regions, until regular supplies are restored.
He further mandated that non-essential government offices, schools, and colleges remain closed until further notice. District administrations have been asked to ensure 24×7 operation of control rooms to assist affected individuals and households.
Appreciating the efforts of all responders, LG Sinha lauded the coordinated work of the Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administration, and police for minimizing loss of life through swift evacuations.
In a separate statement, the Lieutenant Governor spoke with Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and other senior officials, reaffirming his commitment to the restoration of essential services and relief distribution. “Army, NDRF, and SDRF are coordinating closely with the Divisional Commissioner’s office to ensure adequate relief supplies and assistance reach those in need,” he said.
Officials directed to remain stationed in Jammu Division for on-ground coordination include Secretary Health, Public Works Department (R&B), Food and Civil Supplies, and Power Development Department, with a strict no-leave order for government employees in the affected zones.
The Lieutenant Governor’s office is maintaining continuous 24×7 monitoring of the evolving situation, remaining in contact with Union Territory and central agencies to ensure timely response and preparedness.
Attendees of the meeting included Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma (GOC-in-C Northern Command), Chairman NHAI Santosh Yadav, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava (GOC 15 Corps), Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to LG Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Divisional Railway Manager Jammu Vivek Kumar, Commissioner JMC Devansh Yadav, Maj Gen Mukesh Banwala (GOC 26 Infantry Division), Divisional Commissioners Ramesh Kumar and Anshul Garg, and senior officials from various departments and central forces.
CM tours flood-hit Jammu, reviews relief measures
Briefs PM Modi, calls for swift restoration of all services
THE CHANCELLOR DESK
Jammu: In the wake of heavy monsoon rains and widespread flooding in Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted an extensive tour of the affected areas to assess the damage and oversee relief and recovery operations.
Accompanied by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs & Transport Satish Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti, DC Jammu Dr. Rakesh Minhas, andother senior officials, the Chief Minister reviewed the situation on the ground and directed authorities to take urgent and coordinated measures to safeguard lives and property in vulnerable zones.
The CM inspected key flood-affected locations including Fourth Tawi Bridge (Bhagwati Nagar), Science College (Old Campus), Hari Singh Park, and parts of Gujjar Nagar, issuing specific instructions for damage assessment and urgent repairs. He noted that the damaged end of the Fourth Tawi Bridge, which had also suffered during the 2014 floods, requires immediate technical evaluation and long-term preventive action.
The Chief Minister said he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the evolving flood situation in Jammu. “I shared details of the most severely affected areas along the Tawi River. The Prime Minister has assured full support from the Government of India,” Omar Abdullah said, thanking him for the commitment to extend continued assistance to J&K.
Expressing deep sorrow over the recent landslide at Katra, which claimed several lives during the Vaishno Devi Yatra, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for proactive safety protocols. “Advance weather warnings were available. Preventive measures to halt pilgrim movement should have been enforced,” he said, extending condolences to the bereaved families.
The CM directed BSNL, Jio, and Airtel to restore internet and telecom services on war footing, stressing the critical importance of communication during disasters. “Service disruptions have impacted rescue coordination and daily life across J&K. These must be restored immediately,” he said.
He also instructed concerned departments to expedite the restoration of electricity, water supply, and road connectivity in all affected districts, and asked officials to ensure that traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu and Jammu-Pathankot Highways is resumed as a priority.
Omar Abdullah assured residents that a comprehensive relief package for flood-affected people of Jammu and Kashmir would be formulated shortly. He urged line departments to work round-the-clock to restore normalcy and meet the urgent needs of displaced and affected citizens.
During his visit, the Chief Minister interacted with residents, assessed local damages, and visited temporary shelters to check relief arrangements. He emphasized prompt disbursal of aid, effective shelter management, and transparent coordination between departments for sustained recovery efforts.
