LIVE Updates | J&K Flood Crisis: 4 Dead in Doda, Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspanded

Heavy rains continued to lash parts of Jammu for the third straight day, pushing several rivers above or close to the danger mark. The incessant downpour triggered landslides and mudslides, leading to the closure of multiple routes, including the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a review meeting on flood mitigation in Jammu and directed officials to stay on high alert. He said on X, “The situation in many parts of Jammu province is quite serious. I’ll be taking the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the developing situation.” He also ordered additional funds for deputy commissioners to manage emergency restoration and relief work.

The IMD has sounded a red alert for several districts, including Poonch, Rajouri, Kulgam, Reasi, Samba, Kathua, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, and Jammu. The pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra has also been suspended due to the heavy rainfall.

Rivers Swelling Beyond Safe Levels

Water levels in the Taranah, Ujh, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, and Ravi rivers in Kathua are steadily rising. The Tawi River has already crossed the 20-feet danger mark in Udhampur, while it is flowing above the alert level downstream in Jammu. The Chenab is also close to the warning mark, officials confirmed.

Punjab on Alert as Rain Intensifies

The impact of Jammu’s swelling rivers is spilling into Punjab, where authorities have declared school holidays in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar (catchment areas), and SBS Nagar due to heavy rainfall warnings. In Kapurthala, residents stranded in low-lying areas for over 10 days began shifting to safer zones as the Beas River’s water level surged, with rescue teams using motorboats for evacuation.

An alarming flood-like situation is also unfolding in the Majha region. In Gurdaspur’s Dera Baba Nanak subdivision, floodwaters breached the Dhusi Bandh village at Ghaniye Ke after the Ravi River swelled dangerously.

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