4 dead as cloudburst in Doda triggers flash floods; schools shut, flood alert issued across Jammu region
PTC Web Desk: Four persons lost their lives after a cloudburst struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday, just days after similar incidents in Kathua and Kishtwar. The sudden cloudburst triggered flash floods that swept away more than 10 houses, according to officials.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of the Jammu region, including Kathua, Samba, Doda, Jammu, Ramban, and Kishtwar. As a precaution, all government and private schools across Jammu division remained closed due to adverse weather conditions.
Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended after landslides and shooting stones blocked several stretches. In Doda, a major road was washed away after a stream overflowed its banks. The River Tawi continued to swell, with officials warning that water levels in many rivers and streams had already crossed the danger mark and were likely to rise further overnight. "A flood alert has been sounded across the Jammu region. People are strongly advised to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone areas," a senior official said.
Rainfall data showed Kathua recorded the highest precipitation at 155.6 mm in the past 24 hours ending Monday morning, followed by Bhaderwah (99.8 mm), Jammu (81.5 mm), and Katra (68.8 mm). Authorities cautioned that the risk of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides in high-altitude areas would persist until at least August 27. Rescue and relief teams have been kept on standby in vulnerable areas.
Jammu also witnessed record rainfall over the weekend, receiving 190.4 mm in 24 hours — the second-highest for August in the past 100 years. The highest August rainfall remains 228.6 mm, recorded on August 5, 1926. The earlier second-highest was 189.6 mm, reported on August 11, 2022.
Meanwhile, Kashmir valley also experienced heavy showers, especially in the southern districts and higher reaches. While the Jhelum river was not placed under a flood alert, water levels were expected to rise. Central Kashmir recorded moderate rainfall, whereas north Kashmir reported light rain and partly dry weather.
#WATCH | Doda, Jammu and Kashmir | Continuous heavy rainfall across Doda district has triggered landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones, leading to the closure of several link roads as well as stretches of the national highway. pic.twitter.com/0EuHmW5XNu — ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2025
#WATCH | Jammu | Water level in the Tawi River rises and erodes banks near Nikki Tawi area, causing a potential danger to the adjacent houses pic.twitter.com/XzQAxngycH — ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2025
- With inputs from agencies
