Over 4,000 Rescued Across Jammu; Water bodies swell, Tawi, Jhelum Rivers Cross Danger Mark as Landslides continue
JAMMU REGION BEARS THE BRUNT: OVER 4,000 SHIFTED TO SHELTER CAMPS
Heavy rains over the past three days wreaked havoc across Jammu region, forcing mass evacuations, triggering landslides, flooding rivers, and severely damaging infrastructure. Two lives have been lost in Rajouri, while over 4,000 people have been relocated to 93 temporary shelter camps set up by the administration across the region.
Senior officials confirmed that affected families are being provided with food, medical aid, and other essential supplies in these relief camps by administration and NGOs. As the rain begins to ease, efforts are intensifying to restore connectivity and provide relief to stranded communities.
WIDESPREAD DAMAGE ACROSS DISTRICTS
Jammu District: Tawi River Breaches Danger Mark
The Tawi River rose one foot above the danger mark, prompting mass evacuations from low-lying areas including Pir Kho, Gujjar Nagar, and Rajiv Colony. Around 2,000 people have been shifted to safer areas, with many housed at relief camps in MAM College. The Jammu Police, in collaboration with disaster response teams, carried out successful evacuation efforts in Akhnoor, Khour, Belicharana, Miran Sahib, and RS Pura.
In Akhnoor, 40 residents were trapped due to over-flooding of the Chenab River. The Army and BSF launched helicopter missions to rescue over 80 civilians from villages like Fattu Kotli and Dhar Khour. A pregnant woman was airlifted from Samba and safely shifted to the district hospital.
Additionally, a man went missing after falling into Rajinder Nagar Nallah near Bantalab. Search and rescue operations are underway.
The Army’s White Knight Corps has established medical camps in Pallanwala and Palatan, providing aid to displaced civilians. Four helicopter sorties were undertaken to rescue scores from flooded areas.
Udhampur: Massive Landslides Hit Dhar Jankhar
In Dhar Jankhar village, nearly 19 houses were destroyed due to massive landslides, while over 2,000 people were shifted to 38 shelter camps. Cracks have developed in several homes, forcing residents to flee to government schools and public buildings for safety. The road from Zero Morh to Dhar Mahanpur stands damaged, cutting off multiple hamlets.
Rajouri: Wall Collapse Claims Two Lives
In Rajouri’s Sunderbani area, a tragic incident claimed the lives of a mother-daughter duo—Sita Devi and her daughter Sonia—after a wall collapsed due to torrential rains. Several localities experienced land sinking, prompting the evacuation of 19 families. Officials confirmed all affected individuals have been safely relocated.
Reasi: Bhimgarh Fort Closed, 100 Families Evacuated
In the Mahore subdivision of Reasi district, 86 houses have been severely damaged, forcing the evacuation of around 100 families. Authorities have suspended tourist movement to the historic Bhimgarh Fort due to multiple landslides. Relief operations continue in full swing with food and aid supplied to all displaced residents.
Samba and Barmeeni: Land Cracks, House Collapses
In Samba district, several families were shifted to safety as parts of villages experienced land sinking. In Barmeeni village of Jammu district, continuous landslides caused the collapse of about 30 homes. Locals were shifted to schools in Sunjwan, and entry to the area is now restricted due to instability in the hill slopes. CRPF personnel have been deployed to ensure safety.
ROAD, TRANSPORT NETWORKS HIT HARD
Heavy rainfall has triggered landslides and mudslides, crippling transportation in several parts of Jammu division:
- Jammu-Srinagar National Highway: Closed for a second consecutive day due to landslides at Thard in Udhampur and other blockages in Ramban.
- Jammu-Pathankot Highway: Traffic disrupted after a bridge pillar on Devak River was damaged near Vijaypur in Samba.
- Bani-Basohli, Basohli-Mabanru, Mahanpur-Kathua Roads: Blocked due to mudslides.
- Qiala Chak-Ramkote Road & Jammu–Rajouri–Poonch Highway: Closed due to disintegration and landslide activity.
- 4th Tawi Bridge Collapse: River overflow caused structural failure, suspending vehicular movement.
- Doda–Pul Doda and Jammu–Kishtwar Roads: Shut due to landslides and rockfall.
- Tanda-Kalidhar Road (Jammu–Rajouri Route): Closed with stranded vehicles awaiting road clearance.
Authorities are working on emergency restoration of these vital links, but continue to urge caution and restrict travel in vulnerable zones.
KASHMIR VALLEY ON EDGE: JHELUM RIVER CROSSES DANGER MARK
In Kashmir, continuous downpours have pushed water levels of major rivers and tributaries to alarming heights. The River Jhelum has crossed the danger mark at multiple monitoring stations, raising the flood alert across the Valley.
According to the Irrigation & Flood Control Department:
- Sangam: 27.29 ft (danger mark: 25 ft)
- Pampore: 6.30 m (danger mark: 5 m)
- Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar): 20.98 ft (danger mark: 21 ft)
Other concerning readings include:
- Asham: 10.89 ft (below danger mark of 16.5 ft)
- Wullar Lake: 1576.54 m (approaching full level of 1578 m)
- Vishow Nallah (Khudwani): 10.50 m (danger mark: 8.5 m)
- Rambiyara (Wachi): 5.70 m (at danger mark)
- Sindh Nallah (Doderhama): 3.63 m (danger mark: 3.9 m)
SUBMERGENCE IN LOW-LYING AREAS
Inundation has been reported in parts of Srinagar, especially Khushipora Telbal, Mehjoor Nagar, and Telbal, where residents rushed to move belongings to higher floors. Eyewitnesses described sudden water ingress into homes and shops, with locals struggling to safeguard children and elderly members.
Several roads are under water, and traffic restrictions have been imposed on the Old Barzulla Bridge, which has been shut due to safety concerns.
DISTRICT-WISE DAMAGE IN KASHMIR
Anantnag: Nomadic Families Rescued
In Anantnag, 25 nomadic families trapped under a bridge due to surging water levels were rescued by local police teams. No casualties were reported.
Doda: Over 400 Structures Affected
Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh reported massive damage due to non-stop rain. Around 60–70 houses were destroyed, 150 severely damaged, and 350–400 partially affected. Power lines, roads, and water supply infrastructure were also hit. Restoration work is in full swing.
Kulgam: 2,500 Rescued
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, confirmed that 2,500 residents were rescued from inundated areas of Kulgam. Relief operations, including food and essential aid, are being conducted by local authorities and disaster management units.
WEATHER UPDATE AND ADVISORIES
The Meteorological Department has forecast improvement in weather conditions starting from September 5, though brief rain spells and thunderstorms may continue across some districts of Jammu division till September 7. From September 8–11, another round of moderate rainfall is expected over select areas of Jammu.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the MeT Department, has urged people to avoid riverbanks, nallahs, and unstable slopes, citing continued threat of landslides and flash floods.
COORDINATED RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS UNDERWAY
Across the region, coordinated efforts by the Army, Air Force, Police, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration continue. Multiple helicopter sorties, medical aid stations, and evacuation efforts have helped mitigate casualties and bring thousands to safety.
With rainfall intensity reducing and rescue operations continuing at full throttle, the administration remains on high alert, monitoring river levels and ground reports from flood-prone zones.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant, adhere to advisories, and avoid travel unless necessary.
LG takes stock of flood situation
Srinagar, Sept 3: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has spoken to senior officials and taken stock of situation in the wake of excessive rainfall across Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir. He was briefed on rescue and relief measures by Army, Air Force, CAPFs, district administrations, NDRF and SDRF teams on the ground to ensure the well-being of those affected by heavy rain and flood.
He was briefed that people affected by flood in Akhnoor were evacuated to safety by BSF, NDRF & Police. People from around 67 villages in Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama were moved to safer locations and nomadic families in Pulwama and Shopian were provided shelters by the district administrations.
In Srinagar city, around 9 relief shelters are ready for emergency situation. The Lieutenant Governor asked the senior officials to take all necessary preventive measures against water borne diseases. He asked the senior officials to ensure rations, blankets, medicines, LPGs and pure drinking water to the affected families and speedy restoration of power infrastructure. He urged the people to take all possible precautions and safety measures. The Lieutenant Governor also assured that no effort is being spared by the Centre to ensure timely assistance to those in need.
He has also expressed his condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Kangri, Sunderbani in Rajouri district and wished for the well-being of all those impacted by the incessant rain.
45 trapped villagers saved by BSF choppers
Jammu Tawi, Sep 3 : In a daring operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) pressed its helicopter to launch a high-risk rescue operation to evacuate 45 civilians, including women and children who were trapped in their flooded village in Akhnoor sector near here on Wednesday, officials said.
The rescue mission by the BSF was launched after police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams failed to shift the marooned population of Fathu Kotli village in Garkhal area owing to the continuous rise in the Chenab river, which is presently flowing several feet above its evacuation level of 42 feet, the officials said.
They said senior police and civil officers rushed to the scene early this morning after getting information that the flood waters had entered the village and 45 people were trapped.
After making several attempts to establish contact with the trapped civilians, the civil administration requisitioned the BSF for a helicopter to save the precious lives.
The BSF responded to the call and its helicopter made three sorties to successfully evacuate the 45 trapped civilians from the marooned village to a safer location despite continuous rainfall, the officials said.
